Fremont has been earning street cred in electric vehicle (EV) technology since the Model S started rolling off the line in the Tesla Factory, the former home of the GM/Toyota NUMMI partnership. But, the City’s role in the future of EVs was solidified with several major announcements that took place this week — the Chevy Bolt debut at the Fremont Auto Mall, Tesla’s announcement of new radar processing technology to help avoid accidents, and the greatly anticipated unveiling of the Lucid Air.

Lucid is creating a new luxury EV that attracted the who’s who of Silicon Valley auto aficionados to its Fremont workshop on Wednesday night. The tagline: “The new era of mobility starts here.

Lucid CTO Peter Rawlinson and Design VP Derek Jenkins
described the car as a perfect blend of sports car, sublime luxury vehicle, and
urban commuting solution — with the energy, sophistication, and range to please
the discerning, tech-savvy consumer.

The crowd was anxious to check out the interior of the car, which was inspired by the plush inside of an executive jet. Sumptuous trim packages reflect iconic California locations such as Mohave, Santa Cruz, and Tahoe.

The technology underlying the Lucid Air was on display,
including the 600 horsepower engine. The standard range is 300 miles, but there
are also groundbreaking 400-mile models that will be available as well.

 

Test drives continued throughout the evening, providing attendees the opportunity to experience Lucid Air’s rapid acceleration capabilities — 60 MPH in 2.5 seconds!

 

Fremont’s newly elected Mayor Lily Mei was on hand for the
occasion. The City is proud of its burgeoning transportation sector and its
role in bringing so many connected devices to the market.