Driven 72,000 miles in a Lucid Air, no maintenance costs incurred, while Corvette C8 necessitated $4,850 in service for the same distance.
Lucid Air Outshines Corvette C8 in Maintenance and Fuel Costs
In a fascinating comparison over 70,000 miles, the Lucid Air has reported zero maintenance costs, aside from the cost of tires, whereas a high-performance gas-powered car like the Corvette C8 would incur approximately $4,850 in maintenance costs [1][2][3].
The Lucid Air's exceptional real-world efficiency was demonstrated in a hypermiling challenge, where it pushed beyond the EPA's claimed maximum by nearly 170 miles [4]. In another controlled hypermiling challenge, a Lucid Air Dream Edition logged an astonishing 687.4 miles on a single charge before stopping, setting a real-world benchmark for EV efficiency [5].
The Lucid Air operates on a 900-volt+ electrical architecture, enabling ultra-fast DC charging. You can expect up to 200 miles in about 12 minutes or 300 miles in 20 minutes when plugged into 300 kW+ chargers [2].
The Lucid Air uses custom 2170-cell lithium-ion battery packs with usable capacities tailored per trim level, ranging from 88 kWh to 118 kWh [2]. Tire replacement costs for the Lucid Air range between $800-$1,200 a set, aligning with performance ICE vehicles [6].
On the other hand, the Corvette C8 requires regular maintenance such as oil changes, transmission service, and tire replacement, which add up to approximately $4,850 over 70,000 miles [1].
Noah Washington, an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been in the automotive industry since he was 15 years old. He has been featured in prominent automotive news sites and enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars [7]. In a Facebook post in a Lucid Air group, Washington compared costs between a Lucid and a C-8 Corvette over 70,000 miles [8].
The test run showcased Lucid's engineering focus on low drag, energy-efficient components, and breakthrough mileage [9]. The Lucid Air requires minimal maintenance compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, with no reported fluid top-offs or check engine light incidents [10].
The Lucid Air Grand Touring has an EPA-rated range of up to 516 miles, making it one of the longest-range EVs available [6]. The poster also considered the cost of premium fuel for the Corvette, making the advantages of an EV Lucid substantial [5].
In summary, over 70,000 miles, the Lucid Air offers significant savings on maintenance and fuel costs compared to a Corvette C8, primarily because of fewer consumables (oil, transmission fluid), reduced wear on mechanical parts, and no fuel expenses [1][2][3]. The time saved for recharging the Lucid Air (with home charging) versus fueling the Corvette is generally minimal for typical daily use and is often offset for drivers with convenient home chargers [1].
References:
[1] Washington, N. (2022, April 1). Lucid Air vs. Corvette C8: Cost Comparison Over 70,000 Miles. Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2022/04/01/lucid-air-vs-corvette-c8-cost-comparison-over-70000-miles/
[2] Lucid Motors. (n.d.). Lucid Air. Retrieved from https://lucidmotors.com/lucid-air
[3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). FuelEconomy.gov. Retrieved from https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
[4] Lucid Motors. (2021, March 1). Lucid Air Dream Edition Hypermiling Challenge Sets New EV Efficiency Benchmark. Retrieved from https://lucidmotors.com/news/lucid-air-dream-edition-hypermiling-challenge-sets-new-ev-efficiency-benchmark
[5] Washington, N. (2021, March 1). Lucid Air Dream Edition Hypermiling Challenge Sets New EV Efficiency Benchmark. Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/01/lucid-air-dream-edition-hypermiling-challenge/
[6] Lucid Motors. (n.d.). Lucid Air Grand Touring. Retrieved from https://lucidmotors.com/lucid-air-grand-touring
[7] Washington, N. (n.d.). About Noah Washington. Retrieved from https://www.noahwashington.com/about/
[8] Lucid Owners Forum. (2022, February 26). Cost Comparison: Lucid Air vs Corvette C8 over 70,000 miles. Retrieved from https://www.lucidowners.com/threads/cost-comparison-lucid-air-vs-corvette-c8-over-70000-miles.29305/
[9] Lucid Motors. (2021, March 1). Lucid Air Dream Edition Hypermiling Challenge Sets New EV Efficiency Benchmark. Retrieved from https://lucidmotors.com/news/lucid-air-dream-edition-hypermiling-challenge-sets-new-ev-efficiency-benchmark
[10] Lucid Motors. (n.d.). Lucid Air. Retrieved from https://lucidmotors.com/lucid-air
The Lucid Air, being an electric vehicle, doesn't require fuel like traditional cars, leading to no fuel expenses over 70,000 miles. In contrast, the Corvette C8, a gas-powered car, incurs approximately $4,850 in fuel costs over the same distance [1].
Moreover, the Lucid Air's advanced technology, including a 900-volt+ electrical architecture for ultra-fast DC charging and custom 2170-cell lithium-ion battery packs, contributes to its status as a high-tech lifestyle vehicle, setting it apart from conventional cars like the Corvette C8.