Aston Martin has announced that it has partnered with US-based electric car start-up Lucid to supply powertrain and battery technologies for the British marque’s upcoming EV line-up. Lucid’s components will form the basis of Aston’s new battery-electric car platform, set to underpin a range of models including an electrified hypercar, sports car, GT and SUV. The American start-up currently produces one model – the Air saloon – offering it with single-, dual- and tri-motor powertrains, of which the most powerful outputs more than 1200bhp. It says its current-generation motors are capable of producing up to 670bhp while weighing slightly less than 74kg apiece.
Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll said: “Based on our strategy and requirements, we selected Lucid, gaining access to the industry’s highest performance and most innovative technologies for our future BEV products. We will not only leverage the significant investments Lucid has made to develop its world-class technologies, but will also further enhance and differentiate the drive experience through the work [technical boss] Roberto Fedeli and his teams are already developing, aligned with our ultra-luxury, high-performance strategy.”
Aston Martin also confirmed it will continue to have access to Mercedes-Benz technologies including powertrains (both electric and internal combustion) and electrical architectures. Stroll added: “Along with Mercedes-Benz, we now have two world-class suppliers to support the internal development and investments we are making to deliver our electrification strategy. With the recently announced long-term partnership with Geely, we will also gain the opportunity to access their range of technologies and components, as well as their deep expertise of the key strategic market of China.”
Aston Martin will shed further light on its electric car plans at its capital markets day tomorrow (27 June), but Stroll previously told Autocar that the marque’s first EV is “on schedule” to arrive in 2026. The marque today released a teaser image of this model, hinting it will be a sleek GT with sharp curves. It will be a “new product” on a “new platform”, chief creative officer Marek Reichman said earlier this month.
The partnership with Lucid is a significant move for Aston Martin, as it looks to compete with other luxury carmakers in the EV space. Lucid has been making waves in the industry with its Air saloon, which has been praised for its impressive range and performance. The company claims that the Air can travel up to 517 miles on a single charge, which would make it one of the longest-range EVs on the market.
Aston Martin’s decision to partner with Lucid is also a sign of how important battery technology has become in the automotive industry. As carmakers look to transition away from fossil fuels, they are investing heavily in developing new battery technologies that can offer longer ranges and faster charging times. Lucid’s expertise in this area will be invaluable to Aston Martin as it looks to build a competitive EV lineup.
The partnership with Mercedes-Benz is also significant, as it gives Aston Martin access to some of the most advanced powertrain technologies in the industry. Mercedes-Benz has been investing heavily in electric and hybrid powertrains in recent years, and its expertise in this area will be invaluable to Aston Martin as it looks to build its own electrified models.
Overall, Aston Martin’s partnership with Lucid and Mercedes-Benz is a significant move for the British marque, as it looks to compete with other luxury carmakers in the EV space. With access to some of the most advanced battery and powertrain technologies in the industry, Aston Martin will be well-positioned to build a competitive lineup of electrified models in the coming years.