MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 5 EPA ratings of the Air since 2022 it has averaged 140 MPGe, and the 2026 model beats the 99.7 MPGe average of other electric cars rated 2024–2026. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $540.
Every Lucid Air version, compared
The Lucid Air was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 141.8 / 138 | 2022–2026 | $492 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the BMW i7 is rated 88 MPGe, next to 146 MPGe for the 2026 Air. The Air is the cheapest of them to run: $310 a year less than the BMW i7.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 23.1 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.039 |
| Charging per year | $471 |
| Charging over five years | $2,355 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | −$219 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $540 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Lucid Air does better in town than out of it: 149 in the city against 142 on the highway, $22 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 149 MPGe | $461 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 142 MPGe | $483 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -7 MPGe (-5%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Air changed over the years
The Air peaked in 2026 at 146 MPGe (149 city, 142 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 131 — 15 MPGe apart, or $53 a year in charging between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2025: 137 to 146 MPGe.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 149 / 142 | 1 | $471 | |
| 2025 | 149 / 142 | 1 | $471 | |
| 2024 | 140 / 134 | 1 | $502 | |
| 2023 | 141 / 140 | 1 | $492 | |
| 2022 | 130 / 132 | 1 | $524 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Lucid Air — 1 engine across 2022–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $540. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Lucid Air rated at?
146 MPGe combined, 149 city and 142 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2022 the Air has averaged 140 MPGe.
Is the 2026 Air more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 146 against 146 MPGe combined.
Which Air year has the best efficiency?
The 2026, at 146 MPGe combined (149 city, 142 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Air get better efficiency than the BMW i7?
Yes: 146 MPGe for the 2026 Air against 88 for the 2026 BMW i7, about $310 a year less to run.
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