Mobile Charger as my Home Charger ?

[darkalley]

I’ve been researching this a bit and I can’t seem to figure out what the best answer is. I just use my credit from Lucid to buy the mobile charger since I’m OK with 40 miles of range per hour based on my driving habits is this a acceptable charger to use every day when I get home to plug the car in overnight? Should I use something else? Since the other lucid wall charger is back ordered for a month or so I decided to just go with the mobile charger, but wondering if I made a mistake.

 

[DeaneG]

I’ve been researching this a bit and I can’t seem to figure out what the best answer is. I just use my credit from Lucid to buy the mobile charger since I’m OK with 40 miles of range per hour based on my driving habits is this a acceptable charger to use every day when I get home to plug the car in overnight? Should I use something else? Since the other lucid wall charger is back ordered for a month or so I decided to just go with the mobile charger, but wondering if I made a mistake.

It'll work fine as long as you have a proper EV-rated 14-50 receptacle installed (not a typical residential 14-50 made for intermittent loads).

A permanently installed hardwired charging station is a little nicer to use everyday IMO, and is safer. Some localities require GFCI protection on garage receptacles, which isn't compatible with EV charging equipment, so you'd have to hardwire.

 

[Tym]

I thought all Lucid already came with that mobile charger kit? Check in your trunk.

at least mine came with that kit included with the car.

 

[Amster]

I thought all Lucid already came with that mobile charger kit? Check in your trunk.

at least mine came with that kit included with the car.

Mine did. But I've read that the new ones do not.

 

[knewman]

I thought all Lucid already came with that mobile charger kit? Check in your trunk.

at least mine came with that kit included with the car.

Picked up my 2025 AT last month, they no longer include the any charger with this model year. I used my charger credit to get the mobile charger on delivery day.

 

[PlaterB]

I’ve been researching this a bit and I can’t seem to figure out what the best answer is. I just use my credit from Lucid to buy the mobile charger since I’m OK with 40 miles of range per hour based on my driving habits is this a acceptable charger to use every day when I get home to plug the car in overnight? Should I use something else? Since the other lucid wall charger is back ordered for a month or so I decided to just go with the mobile charger, but wondering if I made a mistake.

I've been using the portable charger that came with my Touring for almost 2 years without any problems. Just have a quality 240 V outlet installed in your garage. You don't need to charge daily if you don't drain the battery every day. I charge 1-2 times/week, depending on how much I drive.

 

[Pittsburgher]

Same for me - but I've been using the 120 V plug. Charging is very slow - but again I'm in a similar situation to PlaterB and can get away with charging a couple times a week (getting maybe 10% overnight, 25%/ 24hr period). Further, from what I've read, slow charging is better for the batter pack - so even if I upgrade to faster charging (like the LHCS), I would likely set the dip switch to a max 30a or 40a (seems to be easily adjusted) to better support battery longevity

I'm in the midst of a home addition which will add a new 2 car garage (oh yeah, plus a nice kitchen for my better half, and new primary living space) - and working through how best to do the electrical and plan for the future. Ideally that future would include V2H or V2L capability. Add to that - I have some "referral" points and am considering getting a new mobile charger or a lucid home charger . . . . but have a couple of questions. Hoping one or more folks here can help me sort out :

• Do I understand that the current mobile chargers have improved capabilities vs. the older versions (mine came with the car in early 2023) - what are the changes/improvements to those ? Is is worth it to get a newer mobile charger if I decide to forgo the home charging station ?
• Assuming I go for the home charging station, it states it is "hardware ready for Bi-directional charging" (additional hardware needed - still under development) -- does anyone know what exactly that means ? Once the "additional hardware" is available - will it require that you have the LHCS as the interface ?
• Assuming the "additional hardware" is like others currently on the market (Ford, Kia/Wallbox) and costing $6K+ (plus installation) - I don't see my getting it . . . but rather try to get to a lower cost solution for power outages - like an V2L solution - where properly routed extension cord could power a fridge or two, TV and a gas furnace / air handler. Is the current LHCS V2L capable or V2L ready ? and if so, do we know what it can handle in terms of amperage load from the vehicle to an outlet ?

All said, since this is new construction . . . I will do some future proofing in regards to the electrical system:

• increasing my feed from the street to 400a +
• installing a 100a subpanel in the garage for the LHCS - even if I don't install it immediately
• adding in necessary switches or connectors to allow for bi-directional feed ahead of the main distribution panel for the addition (primary living space)

I realize I put quite a bit out there . . . any responses or suggestions / wisdom is greatly appreciated ! !

 

[DeaneG]

Same for me - but I've been using the 120 V plug. Charging is very slow - but again I'm in a similar situation to PlaterB and can get away with charging a couple times a week (getting maybe 10% overnight, 25%/ 24hr period). Further, from what I've read, slow charging is better for the batter pack - so even if I upgrade to faster charging (like the LHCS), I would likely set the dip switch to a max 30a or 40a (seems to be easily adjusted) to better support battery longevity

I'm in the midst of a home addition which will add a new 2 car garage (oh yeah, plus a nice kitchen for my better half, and new primary living space) - and working through how best to do the electrical and plan for the future. Ideally that future would include V2H or V2L capability. Add to that - I have some "referral" points and am considering getting a new mobile charger or a lucid home charger . . . . but have a couple of questions. Hoping one or more folks here can help me sort out :

• Do I understand that the current mobile chargers have improved capabilities vs. the older versions (mine came with the car in early 2023) - what are the changes/improvements to those ? Is is worth it to get a newer mobile charger if I decide to forgo the home charging station ?
• Assuming I go for the home charging station, it states it is "hardware ready for Bi-directional charging" (additional hardware needed - still under development) -- does anyone know what exactly that means ? Once the "additional hardware" is available - will it require that you have the LHCS as the interface ?
• Assuming the "additional hardware" is like others currently on the market (Ford, Kia/Wallbox) and costing $6K+ (plus installation) - I don't see my getting it . . . but rather try to get to a lower cost solution for power outages - like an V2L solution - where properly routed extension cord could power a fridge or two, TV and a gas furnace / air handler. Is the current LHCS V2L capable or V2L ready ? and if so, do we know what it can handle in terms of amperage load from the vehicle to an outlet ?

All said, since this is new construction . . . I will do some future proofing in regards to the electrical system:

• increasing my feed from the street to 400a +
• installing a 100a subpanel in the garage for the LHCS - even if I don't install it immediately
• adding in necessary switches or connectors to allow for bi-directional feed ahead of the main distribution panel for the addition (primary living space)

I realize I put quite a bit out there . . . any responses or suggestions / wisdom is greatly appreciated ! !

Charging the Air or Gravity at any current from 6A to 80A will be the same for the car's battery. All good. It's only when you get in to the several hundred amp range of DC fast charging that there's any potential difference. And based on some comments from Lucid engineering, even that isn't particularly detrimental to battery health.

Since it's a new installation, I'd plan for a 100 amp breaker to Lucid's charging station. If you change your mind later, you can always swap in a lower-current breaker and still make good use of the rough-in. I'm not an electrician and so can't comment on the ampacity of your planned garage subpanel, though with a 400A main panel I think I'd go for 125A or 150A in the garage for a possible two charging stations operating simultaneously, at a reduced current, in the future. Lucid's LCHCS can't currently do smart circuit sharing to operate two LCHCS's from one circuit. Some other EVSEs do, along with having a phone app where you can check and change charging parameters.

Lucid's current mobile charging cable allows you to use your Air/Gravity to charge another EV if you additionally purchase the RangeXChange adapter. That's the only functional difference between the OG mobile cable and the current one.

Lucid hasn't released any details on their proposed V2H solution. But any future solution is likely to cost a $3-5K for permitting and installation of a whole-home or critical loads transfer switch and autotransformer. Personally paving waited for V2H for 2.5 years already, I wouldn't make expensive plans around its future availability.

To my knowledge Lucid has never mentioned V2L except for Gravity's many 120V outlets.

 

[DeaneG]

I forgot to mention, I keep Lucid's mobile cable in my car as I'm neurotic about having backup plans. It can charge at 40 amps from a 50-amp receptacle like you'd find at an RV park, or 24 amps from a modern dryer receptacle if you buy the additional 14-30 adapter. Or incredibly slowly as best it can from a 120V receptacle.

Love my Air, but the mobile cable seems to have received more attention than their hardwired LCHCS over the years. The LCHCS's software is rudimentary compared to its competitors.

 

[Pittsburgher]

Deane, thanks for the great feedback. Seems then no real reason to upgrade the mobile charger. I will likely get the LHCS. Currently don't have enough points, but I'll make sure to bank some, so that if I get another 8K points I can use them (8900 points, I believe).

I'm a little surprised the stress on the battery pack (longevity) is not linear - i.e - 6a to 80a relatively equal in terms of stressing the batteries, but presumably the fast chargers (I don't know what amperage) but charging at 100+ KwH is where it becomes stressful on the batteries. I suppose anytime the cooling fans kick on - maybe that would indicate the charge rate is high enough to substantially increase the temp of the battery pack, thus requiring cooling to kick in ? Do you have experience charging at 80a and if so, does it cause the fans to kick on during charging ? If nothing else, it wastes a bit of electricity to run the fans and circulating pump - electricity that is being consumed but not going into the batteries.

 

[DeaneG]

Deane, thanks for the great feedback. Seems then no real reason to upgrade the mobile charger. I will likely get the LHCS. Currently don't have enough points, but I'll make sure to bank some, so that if I get another 8K points I can use them (8900 points, I believe).

I'm a little surprised the stress on the battery pack (longevity) is not linear - i.e - 6a to 80a relatively equal in terms of stressing the batteries, but presumably the fast chargers (I don't know what amperage) but charging at 100+ KwH is where it becomes stressful on the batteries. I suppose anytime the cooling fans kick on - maybe that would indicate the charge rate is high enough to substantially increase the temp of the battery pack, thus requiring cooling to kick in ? Do you have experience charging at 80a and if so, does it cause the fans to kick on during charging ? If nothing else, it wastes a bit of electricity to run the fans and circulating pump - electricity that is being consumed but not going into the batteries.

I charge mine at 8-48 amps depending on how much power my solar setup is delivering. Fans can kick on at higher ambient temps with higher charging current. I think this is due to cooling the car's onboard charger (AC-DC converter) rather than the battery. AFAIK battery cooling is only needed for DC fast charging.

We're long-term EV owners, with only EVs in our household, and I prefer the safety and convenience of hardwired, wall mounted charging stations for my wife and I. If you don't need the possibility of a $3-5K additional V2H solution at some point in the future, you could buy any other J1772 home charging station instead of the LCHCS and use it with your Air. There are many great ones in the $500-600 range, or up to around $1000 for an 80-amp capable unit.

 

[Adnillien]

Fans can kick on at higher ambient temps with higher charging current. I think this is due to cooling the car's onboard charger (AC-DC converter) rather than the battery. AFAIK battery cooling is only needed for DC fast charging.

Yes it is more ambient temperature than level 2 charging current. Both the battery and the AC-DC converter are being cooled when the fans kick on.