American electric automaker Lucid has just introduced an innovative vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) feature for its Air EVs. According to the press release, the RangeXchange can charge other electric vehicles regardless of brand.
What is the RangeXchange?
The RangeXchange is a V2V adapter, marking the inaugural implementation of Lucid Wunderbox’s bi-directional charging technology.
“Designed and engineered in-house by Lucid, the Wunderbox is far more than just a piece of hardware that charges the battery pack. From giving other EVs a boost with RangeXchange today, to possible future applications like vehicle-to-home backup power, time-of-use (TOU) optimization, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power, Lucid’s proprietary bi-directional charging technology has the potential to greatly improve our customers’ lives.”
Eric Bach, Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid
Lucid claims that the RangeXchange enables Lucid Air to transmit energy to the receiving EV at a maximum 9.6 kW rate. Based on the majority of EV models in the US market, the claimed charge rate can provide 24 to 40 miles of range per hour.
“I’m delighted that Lucid continues to innovate, enabled by our integrated fusion of software and hardware. RangeXchange is a small step to further enhance the everyday usability of the electric vehicle.”
Peter Rawlinson, Lucid CEO & CTO
How does it work?
According to InsideEVs, the RangeXchange operates “almost” similar to a digital jerrycan. The only difference is that the RangeXchange requires owners to have a long cable to transmit electrons from another vehicle rather than the fuel.
Notably, both vehicles agree on a charging speed and charge from the Lucid Air’s high-voltage battery.
“RangeXchange is yet another example of the tremendous value we can provide with an over-the-air software update long after a customer purchases our car. This system’s approach to the integration of hardware and software is what allows us to provide these value-add updates and is what sets Lucid apart in the auto industry.”
Mike Bell, Senior Vice President of Digital at Lucid
To make things clear, the Wunderbox and the RangeXchange adapter are hardware components. However, the company will activate the new V2V technology through an Over-The-Air (OTA) software update.
About Lucid Air
Car Buzz indicated that Lucid currently offers various battery configurations for the Air EV from 92 kWh to 118 kWh, which enables up to 516-mile driving range.
Therefore, it would really have much excess power to offer for other EVs that need an energy boost.
Presented below are the key specifications of the Lucid Air:
| Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph | Top Speed | Estimated range up to | |
| Air Sapphire | 1,234hp | 1.89 seconds | 205 mph | 427 mi |
| Air Grand Touring | 1,050 hp | 3.0 seconds | 168mph | 516mi |
| Air Touring | 819 hp | 3.4 seconds | 140 mph | 410 mi |
| Air Pure AWD | 480 hp | 3.8 seconds | 140 mph | 410 mi |
| Air Pure RWD | 430 hp | 4.5 seconds | 124mph | 410 mi |
Lucid aims to offer the new RangeXchange for the US market. Interested customers will need to separately buy a RangeXchange charging cable adapter that will become available in late November. The company has yet to announce the official pricing of the adapter. Meanwhile, owners can access the RangeXchange once they receive the OTA software update.
