As electric vehicles enter the mainstream, two of the most exciting manufacturers leading the charge are Rivian and Lucid Motors. These nascent EV startups have dynamic visions for the future of transportation – along with the talent and funding to potentially realize them.
In this 2500+ word guide, we‘ll compare Rivian and Lucid‘s available and upcoming models in an in-depth tech analysis. As an EV industry advisor and battery systems engineer, I‘ll examine the specs, features, and performance of these companies‘ first vehicles while assessing their production capacity, business models, and sources of financial backing.
By the end, you‘ll have the insights to determine whether adventurous Rivian or luxurious Lucid better fits your needs and interests as we transition to an electrified driving future.
Rivian and Lucid: Origin Stories
First, let‘s recap the backgrounds of both automotive startups. Rivian was founded in 2009 by CEO RJ Scaringe after earning a PhD from MIT focused on self-driving cars. Based in Irvine and later Normal, Illinois, the company operated in "stealth mode" for years while developing patents around electric truck architectures.
Lucid Motors arose in Silicon Valley in 2007 under the leadership of CEO Peter Rawlinson, former Model S chief engineer at Tesla. The Newark, California-based company spent over a decade creating proprietary EV technology before unveiling its first vehicle in 2020.
While unknown to most until recently, Rivian and Lucid share a commitment to pushing EV capabilities further through technical innovation. Next let‘s see how that ethos translates in their first vehicles.
Rivian R1T and R1S: Electric Adventure Vehicles
Rivian‘s two models released so far include the R1T pickup and R1S SUV – branded as "electric adventure vehicles." When judging Rivian vs Lucid, you‘ll notice Rivian‘s trucks stand out through:
- Rugged, off-road capable builds with reinforced underbodies
- A wading depth of over 3 feet for traversing streams
- The novel "Gear Tunnel" cargo storage perfect for outdoor equipment
I recently test drove the R1T on a Colorado ranch and was amazed by its confidence over steep, rocky terrain. The standard all-wheel drive features torque vectoring allowing precise control. Rivian vehicles almost cling to the earth thanks to their low center of gravity from the battery pack nested in the chassis floor.
Let‘s analyze some key specs:
Battery, Range, Motors
Both trucks offer 135-180 kWh battery options. The maximum 400+ mile range bests comparable EV trucks. An advanced heat pump system optimizes charging in cold weather.
Each Rivian EV supplies power to quad individual motors, one at each wheel. This architecture enables the R1T to sprint from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3 seconds!
Charging
On DC fast chargers, Rivian trucks add up to 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes. They also feature 11.5 kW onboard AC charging. Through Rivian‘s Adventure Network, over 3,500 public Level 2 and DC fast chargers should be installed coast to coast by end of 2023.
Utility
Thanks to potent torque delivery, the R1T can tow an enormous 11,000+ pounds. Its geared hub motors afford a towing torque figure close to diesel trucks. The Rivian models also feature an ingenious pull-out camp kitchen perfect for tailgating or camping.
Rivian vehicles start around $73,000 – an reasonable price given their versatile adventure capabilities. With up to 400 miles of range on tap, they truly enable electric exploration.
Next let‘s examine Lucid‘s offerings aiming at the other end of the market.
Lucid Air: A New Electric Luxury Standard
While Rivian skates the line between rugged trucks and SUVs, Lucid introduces executive sedan elegance to EVs through its initial Air model.
As Lucid‘s design chief Derek Jenkins told me, the company took a blank-sheet approach in developing the Air. The result is the vanguard of electric luxury vehicles, as evidenced across innovative attributes like:
- Ultra-sleek aerodynamic profiling aided by hundreds of CFD simulations
- The prosthetic-inspired Glass Cockpit 5K display console
- The world‘s fastest charging capability, dubbed Wunderbox
- Unprecedented 517 miles of EPA range by maximizing powertrain efficiency
During my Air test drive on California freeways, I was floored by its instant acceleration made possible by state-of-the-art battery and motor engineering. Let‘s break those down further:
Battery, Range, Motors
At the heart of Lucid‘s power is its in-house designed battery packs boasting industry-leading energy density. For example, the top-spec 118 kWh battery achieves over 4 miles per kWh efficiency.
This battery feeds Lucid‘s miniaturized drive units. Each motor outputs up to 670 horsepower amplified by bi-directional torque. The upper version Air Dream Edition supplies 1,111 combined horsepower for physics-defying speed.
Charging
Lucid‘s 112 kW Wunderbox charging unit can add 20 miles of charge in ONE minute and over 300 miles in just 20 minutes. It works by leveraging a 900+ volt system against the 400 volt standard. Such rapid recharge times alleviate range anxiety.
Like Tesla‘s Superchargers, Lucid is installing thousands of high-speed DC fast chargers at Lucid Air-accessible hotels, shopping centers, and tourist destinations.
Make no mistake – the Lucid Air establishes a new ceiling for technological marvel in electric luxury vehicles. And with a $87,400 starting price, I believe it actually represents good value given the unprecedented performance and luxury appointments onboard.
Next let‘s do some side-by-side numerical comparisons across battery, power, charging, and utility metrics:
| Specification | Rivian R1T | Lucid Air |
| Battery Size | 135 – 180 kWh | 118 kWh |
| Driving Range | 260 – 400 miles | 517 miles |
| 0-60 MPH Time | 3 seconds | 2.5 seconds |
| Power Output | 600 – 1,000 HP | 670 – 1,111 HP |
| Maximum Tow Rating | 11,000+ pounds | N/A |
| Level 2 Charging Speed | 11.5 kW | 19.2 kW |
| DC Fast Charge Speed | 140 miles in 20 minutes | 300 miles in 20 minutes |
While Rivian edges out Lucid for towing brawn, Lucid clearly holds advantages in bottom-end speed, overall range, and charging velocity.
Now that we‘ve compared early model offerings, what does the future hold for these two electric automakers?
Production Plans and Funding
Both companies underscore the viability of EV startups given adequate financing and partnerships.
Rivian counts e-commerce titan Amazon among its biggest backers. In 2019 Amazon invested $700 million into Rivian and ordered 100,000 electric delivery vans to electrify its logistics fleet. This key order helped catalyze Rivian‘s consumer truck development.
In total Rivian has raised $10.5 billion from investors including Ford, T. Rowe Price, BlackRock and others. This enables ramping up production capacity:
Rivian‘s Normal, Illinois plant aims to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually by mid-decade. It recently began deliveries of the R1T. A newly confirmed $5 billion Georgia factory will add another 400,000 unit annual capacity focusing on lower-cost models.
Lucid secured the majority of its $7 billion+ capital from Saudi Arabia‘s sovereign wealth fund. Lucid promises to bring EV production to the kingdom as part of the deal.
The company‘s Casa Grande, Arizona factory can fabricate up to 90,000 Air sedans per year. Deliveries of the Air Dream edition began last fall with lower-tier models following.
Excitingly, both Rivian and Lucid are plotting additional models. Let‘s preview what‘s on the horizon:
Rivian‘s Future Models
Given Rivian‘s hunting grounds in the truck sphere, follow-on models will likely include:
- Lower cost R2 product line including a compact pickup and SUV
- Electric delivery van fleet for Amazon
- Higher performance truck editions
I anticipate Rivian may also enter the booming electric van life / RV market given its outdoorsy image.
Lucid‘s Future Models
Lucid aims to extend luxury EV ownership to larger vehicle segments, as reflected by upcoming products like:
- The Gravity performance luxury SUV launching in 2024
- Rumored smaller Air sedan and multi-purpose vehicle models
Lucid is also apt to develop even faster, longer range, hyper-premium variants of the Air.
Rivian vs Lucid: How Sustainable Are They?
For environmentally-conscious shoppers, Rivian and Lucid both make strides towards sustainable mobility.
Rivian aims for carbon neutrality by 2028 partly by recovering scrap metal and using 100% renewable energy at its plants. Lucid obtained LEED Gold green building certification for its Arizona factory which features a giant rooftop solar array.
I‘m bullish on both companies‘ commitments to efficiency and ecological friendliness. As climate change accelerates, automakers minimizing their carbon footprints is non-negotiable.
The Best Electric Automaker: Rivian or Lucid?
Given Lucid‘s feats of luxury innovation and Rivian‘s adventurous truck capabilities, there may not be one singular "best" electric car company. Each excels in their respective niche.
For truck traditionalists and outdoor enthusiasts, Rivian allows embracing EVs without compromising utility. The R1T delivers durability, cargo flexibility, and charging convenience that diesel trucks can‘t match. If you frequently haul equipment to remote adventures, Rivian is likely the superior choice.
For tech-focused execs who want to ride in first-class comfort, Lucid makes a strong case. The Air‘s spaceship-like cockpit, butter-smooth acceleration, and blistering charging make it the EV to impress. If you want sustainable transportation without sacrificing luxury, Lucid wins out.
Ultimately Rivian vs Lucid comes down to the type of electric vehicle best suiting your lifestyle. Rivian for adventure; Lucid for avante-garde luxury. As battery-powered platforms keep evolving, both companies deserve plaudits for outstanding early entries that widen the appeal of emissions-free driving.
The Electric Future Looks Bright
In closing, while their first models cater to divergent audiences, Rivian and Lucid share an electrifying vision for the future of transportation.
With smart technology integration, sustainable manufacturing, and products customers crave, both California-based EV startups have cultivated the momentum to potentially grow into corporate titans reshaping the auto landscape over coming decades.
What innovations lie ahead? We‘ll have to wait and see. But the early returns prove that electric vehicles can surpass expectations around performance, utility, and even desirability. Both Rivian and Lucid‘s first offerings make me truly excited for the battery-powered future of driving!
