The Reality of Owning a Premium Electric Vehicle
Despite Lucid carving out its niche in the premium EV market with impressive engineering and design, even the most advanced models are not immune to the realities of ownership. Beyond certain software issues, the Lucid Air remains a strong contender, but, like many other luxury EVs, it faces sharp depreciation. This is exactly what the seller of this particular car encountered.
Spilled water “bricks” the Lucid, and the repair cost can reach the price of a used Corolla.
Model Specifications
This 2025 Lucid Air in Fathom Blue Metallic is the Grand Touring trim. It sits near the top of the brand’s lineup, surpassed only by the top-tier Air Sapphire version, which boasts hypercar-like performance in straight-line acceleration.
As seen on the window sticker, the model’s base price was $110,900 excluding the destination fee. This example was well-optioned: the Tahoe Extended Leather package for $5,500, the DreamDrive Pro driver assistance system for $2,500, and electric front seats with massage and ventilation functions for $3,750.
The Cost of Premium and Sharp Depreciation
Including these options and the $1,500 destination fee, the total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) before taxes was $124,950. The seller purchased the car less than a year ago, which makes the next part of the story particularly painful.
According to the auction listing, the first owner bought the car in February of last year and drove it only 6,500 miles before listing it for sale a few days ago. Despite its near-new condition, it sold for just $75,500. This translates to a financial loss of $49,450. And that’s not even including taxes and other costs such as registration fees. This is a stark reminder of how quickly luxury electric vehicles can lose value.
Prospects for the New Owner
For the buyer, however, there is good news: the biggest part of the initial depreciation has likely already occurred. While the car will continue to lose value over time, like most others, the worst drop may already be behind it. Some 2022 Air Grand Touring models are now selling in the mid-$50,000 range, so this model may continue along that curve.
A popular blogger sharply criticized Lucid, and the situation didn’t end with a simple shrug.
Nevertheless, for an owner planning to keep the car long-term, there are reasons to be satisfied with the purchase. They essentially avoided nearly $50,000 in immediate depreciation, gaining access to one of the most refined and technologically rich luxury sedans on the market.
Technical Advantages of the Model
Although the Air Sapphire has garnered most of the attention over the past few years, the Grand Touring remains an extremely impressive model. It is equipped with two electric motors with a combined output of 819 hp, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in approximately 3 seconds. Additionally, it boasts an exceptional range of 512 miles (824 km), one of the highest among current electric vehicles on the market.
This case vividly illustrates the dynamics of the premium electric vehicle market, where technological sophistication and innovation do not always protect against rapid value loss. For some, it may serve as a warning about the risks of early adoption of new technologies, while for others, it is a unique opportunity to acquire a high-tech product at a significantly lower price. Such stories often become a catalyst for discussions about the long-term value of electric vehicles and acquisition strategies, especially in the increasingly active secondary market.