The Electric Avenue Team has achieved a new world record with a Lucid Air Grand Touring, completing a coast-to-coast drive from New York to Los Angeles. The team covered over 2,800 miles with only seven charging stops, highlighting the vehicle’s impressive range and efficiency.
Record-Breaking Journey:
Drivers Julius Wilhelm and Janek Metzner, both from the German electric vehicle (EV) software company Pionix, undertook the challenge using the Cannonball Run route, a 2,806-mile stretch from Los Angeles to New York. They managed to travel more than 400 miles between each charging stop, thanks to the Lucid Air Grand Touring’s capability of up to 700 kilometers on a single charge. The team noted that charging stations were conveniently located every 30 to 50 miles along their route.
The Lucid Air consumed 697 kWh of energy to cover the 2,806 miles, achieving an efficiency of four miles per kWh. The entire journey took 44 hours and 40 minutes of driving time.
Challenges and Observations:
Janek Metzner highlighted the role of fast-charging infrastructure in their success, stating, “There is sufficient coverage of fast chargers pretty much along the interstate highway system… Usually it’s between 30-50 miles between every fast charger. So in general, charger density is pretty good.” He also shared insights into the challenges faced during the trip, including the need for enhanced cooling systems. “Heat is your enemy. You require a lot more cooling during fast charging sessions. You need cooling on the car’s battery, on the charger, on the cable, and then cooling for the cabin.”
Metzner emphasized the need for continued innovation on both the vehicle and infrastructure sides to support long-distance electric travel. He concluded, “We need both reasonably priced cars with reasonably sized batteries. We also need reliable infrastructure and more density.”
This record-setting drive underscores the advancements in EV technology and the growing capability of electric vehicles to undertake long-distance journeys with efficiency and reliability.
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