Lucid Air Might Change Electric Mobility Forever
Electric mobility often promises big numbers, but this time, those numbers were proven on real roads. The Lucid Air Grand Touring has officially set a Guinness World Record by driving 1,205 kilometers (749 miles) on a single charge, powered by Samsung SDI’s 21700 cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.
Personally, I see this milestone as more than a record. It’s a strong signal that long-range anxiety, one of the biggest EV adoption barriers, is steadily becoming irrelevant.
A Guinness World Record That Redefines EV Capability
Samsung SDI confirmed that the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge was achieved on 5–6 July 2025, during a drive from Silvaplana (near St. Moritz), Switzerland to Munich, Germany.
The journey covered Alpine mountain roads, high-speed highways, and secondary regional roads. This was not a controlled lab test. It was real-world driving under diverse conditions.
Key Record Details
- Distance covered: 1,205 km
- Previous record: 1,045 km
- Record surpassed by: 160 km
- Vehicle: Lucid Air Grand Touring
- Drivers: Umit Sabanci, Kenneth Schofield, and Fergal McGrath
The Technology Behind the Record
This achievement was made possible through a powerful synergy between Samsung SDI’s advanced battery technology and Lucid’s ultra-efficient in-house powertrain platform.
Samsung SDI’s 21700 Cylindrical Batteries
Samsung SDI’s batteries are widely regarded as some of the most advanced in the EV industry.
Key battery technologies include:
- High-nickel cathodes & silicon-carbon (SCN) anodes for higher energy density and reduced swelling
- Tabless design (especially in newer 46-series cells) to lower resistance and enable faster charging
- No Thermal Propagation (No TP) technology to prevent heat spread between cells
- Optimized cylindrical and prismatic form factors for durability and thermal stability
In my view, Samsung SDI’s consistent focus on safety and longevity is what makes this record particularly credible.
Lucid Air Grand Touring: Performance Without Compromise
The Lucid Air Grand Touring is already known as the longest-range variant in Lucid’s lineup, but the record highlights just how advanced the vehicle really is.
Performance Highlights:
- WLTP-rated range: 960 km
- 0–100 km/h: as fast as 3.2 seconds
- Maximum output: 831 horsepower
- Top speed: 270 km/h
- Fast charging: up to 400 km of range in just 16 minutes
What stands out is that Lucid didn’t sacrifice performance to achieve range. Instead, they balanced efficiency, power, and luxury in a way few EVs currently manage.
A Partnership Years in the Making
Samsung SDI and Lucid have been collaborating since 2016, starting with the Lucid Air Dream Edition and expanding across Lucid’s growing model portfolio.
A Samsung SDI official stated:
“With Samsung SDI’s cylindrical battery powering the world’s longest-range vehicle, we have proven our technological prowess. We will strengthen our partnership with Lucid to expand our global market share and accelerate the development of products that combine differentiated performance and safety.”
From my perspective, this long-term collaboration explains why the integration between battery and vehicle feels so refined.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EV Batteries
Samsung SDI isn’t stopping with lithium-ion advancements. The company is actively developing All-Solid-State Batteries (ASSB), targeting:
- Energy density up to 500 Wh/kg
- Driving ranges beyond 600 miles
- Charging times as low as 9 minutes
- Potential lifespan of 20 years
If these targets are met, records like this may soon become the norm rather than the exception.
Why This Record Matters
This Guinness World Record is not about theoretical capability. It shows what EVs can do today, on real roads, with production vehicles. For current and future EV owners, it’s proof that electric cars are no longer limited by range — they are limited only by how far drivers want to go.
