Lucid and BMW challenge idea of need for ever bigger EV-batteries

As automakers continue to push the boundaries of the electric vehicle range, two industry namesakes – Lucid Motors and BMW – are advocating for a different approach. Both companies argue that more miniature battery packs, increased efficiency, and improved charging infrastructure are the future of sustainable EV adoption. Can less really be more?

Lucid Motors, the California-based startup that built its reputation on ultra-long-range and high-end EVs like the Air, boasts an industry-leading 840 kilometers per charge. However, CEO Peter Rawlinson told media outlets that he believes in a future for EVs involving significantly lower ranges. In a recent interview with InsideEVs, Rawlinson said Lucid is considering a model with just 300 kilometers of range as part of its upcoming midsize platform.

Ten years from now

“That’s the future, definitely,” Rawlinson told InsideEVs. “I wouldn’t say that midsize would be limited to that, but I could see a variant of midsize that’s just got that 10 years from now.” 

The strategy seems off when range anxiety is still one of the biggest hurdles for EV adoption, especially for a manufacturer targeting a wealthy crowd. However, car makers need to think one vehicle generation ahead, beyond current customers’ tastes or fears. 

Rawlinson’s rationale hinges on the idea that drivers will charge more frequently and won’t need excess range as a buffer as charging infrastructure improves. He predicts that by 2030, a family car with a range of 350 kilometres will be widely accepted.

Already alleviated?

BMW shares a similar perspective. The German carmaker doesn’t shy away from big packs, like 101.7-kWh in the i7, but Head of R&D, Frank Weber, believes range anxiety has already been alleviated. According to internal research, most drivers are satisfied with a real-world range of 400 to 500 kilometers.

Weber strongly opposes the trend of ever-expanding battery sizes. “No, you cannot make batteries bigger and bigger because then EVs don’t make sense anymore,” he said in an interview with Automotive News. He emphasized that while some automakers target 1,000 km or more, most consumers don’t need such an excessive range.

Beyond practicality, BMW is also concerned about the environmental impact of large battery packs. Weber pointed out that building oversized batteries is inefficient and wasteful since few drivers use the full range regularly. 

Smaller size, higher efficiency

Instead, BMW focuses on efficiency gains, as seen in its Neue Klasse platform, which will feature sixth-generation battery cells with 20% higher energy density and 30% faster charging. The new battery architecture will enable 300 km of range in just ten minutes, in line with Rawlinson’s projections.

Lucid and BMW align on a vision where efficient battery usage, rather than sheer size, dictates EV success. While ultra-long-range EVs will remain an option for some – Rawlinson called it “a lifestyle thing” – the industry appears to prefer a model that prioritizes sustainability and convenience – proving that bigger isn’t always better for electric mobility.

Furthermore, the affordability factor plays a key role in this shift. Smaller battery packs could dramatically cut EV production costs, with Rawlinson estimating that a 300-kilometer Lucid would only require a 30 kWh pack, costing about $2,500 (€ 2,400)—compared to today’s $20,000-plus packs ($19,000).