Lucid factory finally starts making the Air EV

The Lucid Air needs to get the show on the road. The range-busting debut vehicle still feels mysterious and ephemeral despite its global unveiling in September. While we've seen it and sat in it, it still isn't available for driving.

Now, though, the new factory in Arizona is starting to produce the vehicle — a good sign that the Lucid Air isn't vaporware. The first cars will come out of the factory next spring, the company announced Tuesday. Those will be the pre-ordered Lucid Air Dream Editions, with a hefty price tag of $169,000 and a 503-mile range.

The highest range version, the Air Grand Touring, with 517 miles on a single battery charge, is supposed to follow with a summertime arrival. Then the Air Touring model will appear later in 2021. The Lucid website has a configurator to see all the different versions, ranges, power levels, features, and prices.

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Its base vehicle, the recently named Air Pure, isn't arriving until 2022. So you have to wait a bit longer for the cheapest Lucid option (priced at $77,400).

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Lucid's production schedule means that the Tesla Model S is still the highest-range EV available — and will be well into 2021. The Model S mileage was recently bumped past 400 miles and it was spotted in November with a 409-mile range listed. That just beats out Lucid Air's lowest range by 3 miles.

SEE ALSO: Lucid Air reveals price and range for its cheapest EV

Back at the Casa Grande, Arizona plant, it's been nearly a year since they broke ground. Now it's a functioning, car-producing factory with plans to expand in 2021.

What a difference a year makes. Credit: lucid

In its first year Lucid expects to produce 30,000 vehicles. Eventually the factory will also make the next Lucid EV: an SUV.