The New Lucid Gravity Hits 400kW At Tesla Superchargers While Cybertruck's Clever Split-Battery Design Hits 325kW, This Is A Big Deal For Every EV Owner

If you want to witness history being rewritten in real time, head to your nearest Tesla Supercharger. Not to marvel at the Cybertruck, that brutalist triangle of stainless steel and swagger, but to watch Lucid’s Gravity SUV plug in and rewrite the rules. Yes, on Tesla’s own infrastructure. That’s like borrowing the champ’s gloves and then knocking him out cold in the second round.

Lucid Gravity Outpaces Tesla Cybertruck on Supercharger Network

Tesla built the house. Let’s not forget that. They poured the concrete, ran the wires, and taught a generation of skeptics that EVs could be cool, fast, and practical. But Lucid? Lucid walked in, rearranged the furniture, swapped out the light fixtures, and installed a new sound system that makes Musk’s sharp-angled monolith look like an antique. A glance at the charging curve tells you everything: the Lucid Gravity’s 900V system doesn’t just outperform, it outclasses.

At low states of charge, it pulls over 300 kW as if it’s sipping an espresso, while the Cybertruck tapers early, looking winded by 40% with a peak of 325kw according to Tesla's very own website.

And that’s what makes this so richly ironic. The Cybertruck, with its much-hyped 800V architecture, still has to use Tesla’s existing 400V Supercharger network. Its workaround? As Lucid owner Loc Trang explains, 

“The Cybertruck uses an 800-volt battery architecture but employs a clever solution to stay compatible with Tesla’s 400-volt Supercharger network.

It is like splitting the battery into two separate smaller packs… This allows both halves to charge simultaneously, effectively doubling the current and maintaining faster charging speeds without overloading the station.” 

Ingenious, sure. But when your rival shows up with a clean-sheet 900V design that charges faster on your own equipment, that stings.

Lucid Gravity Redefines EV Charging with 900V Architecture

• Lucid Gravity's 900-volt electrical system enables it to charge at speeds up to 400 kW on compatible 1000-volt DC fast chargers. This allows the Gravity to add over 200 miles of range in approximately 12 minutes, making it one of the fastest-charging EVs available. In contrast, the Tesla Cybertruck, with its lower-voltage architecture, offers slower peak charging rates, resulting in longer charging times for comparable range additions. ​
• The high-voltage system in the Gravity contributes to its impressive efficiency, achieving over 3.6 miles per kilowatt-hour. This efficiency, combined with a 123 kWh battery pack, provides an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles. Despite having a similar battery capacity, the Tesla Cybertruck offers a lower estimated range of around 310 miles, partly due to its less efficient powertrain and design. ​
• Equipped with a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the Lucid Gravity can utilize Tesla's Supercharger network without the need for adapters. Its 900-volt system, along with a built-in voltage booster, ensures optimal charging performance across various charging stations. The Cybertruck, while also compatible with the Supercharger network, operates on a lower-voltage system, which may limit its charging speeds compared to the Gravity.

“The tech war’s done, and one is holding the trophy. The rest are still trying to figure out what just hit them!” 

Trang proclaimed in the Lucid Owners Club Facebook Group, and he might be right. Lucid has done more than just plug into Tesla’s Supercharger network, they’ve weaponized it.

Despite Tesla’s best efforts to futureproof its vehicles, Lucid’s Gravity is currently the fastest-charging EV on Tesla’s very own network. Trang adds:

“It’s mind-boggling to figure how the heck Lucid 900volt system could beat Tesla in this game, with its own charging infrastructure and still without overloading their chargers. How do they pull it off?” 

The answer, as always, is pure engineering and bold design.

Tesla's Cybertruck Faces Challenges on Its Own Supercharger Network

Tesla fans will point out, with some merit, that the Cybertruck's split-pack strategy allows it to charge at up to 250 kW, which is no slouch. But the Gravity is comfortably above that for much longer in the SoC curve. Yes, the Cybertruck can theoretically take advantage of upcoming 800V stations, but right now, it's mostly operating at a disadvantage on its own home turf. And perhaps that’s the weirdest part: Tesla, the original disrupter, suddenly looks... cautious. Maybe they’re playing the long game, betting the market isn’t ready for 900V systems just yet. Or maybe, as we’ve seen before, the company stretched too far trying to bring the Cybertruck to life and had to compromise somewhere.

Tesla's Entertainment-Focused Supercharger Stations Transform the Charging Experience

• Some Supercharger stations are equipped with solar canopies and Tesla Megapacks. These installations not only provide shade and protection from the elements but also generate renewable energy to offset electricity use and offer backup power during outages. ​
• Tesla has developed mobile Supercharger stations mounted on semi-trailers, complete with Tesla Megapacks for energy storage. These portable units can be deployed to accommodate increased demand during events or peak travel seasons, ensuring consistent charging availability. ​
• Tesla is constructing unique Supercharger stations that combine charging with entertainment. For instance, a site in Los Angeles is set to feature a retro-style diner and drive-in movie theater, transforming the charging experience into an engaging activity.

Then again, Lucid didn’t win this round on tech alone. They won on strategy. The shift to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) opened the door for non-Teslas to use the golden goose, and Lucid didn’t hesitate. Steven Fenton, another commenter in the Lucid Owners Club, said it well: 

“Glad to see the Gravity is such a charging monster, though my Air GT charges plenty fast enough for me.” 

But Gravity isn’t just fast, it’s fast longer, and that’s the point. The vehicle isn’t just a statement; it’s a demonstration. It’s a family SUV that just outperformed Tesla’s flagship tech showcase, and it did so using Tesla’s own extension cord.

Lucid's Acquisition of Nikola's Factory Signals Ambitious Expansion Plans

The internet, as ever, has thoughts. One commenter wrote, 

“Imagine comparing a minivan to a pickup truck.” 

To which another fired back, 

“Nah, more like comparing an EV to a trash can!” 

Juvenile? Sure. But this isn't just a rivalry between tribal fanbases, it's a very real shift in the industry's power dynamics. Tesla used to lead on every front. 

Now, it’s being flanked from the sides by companies that not only match its performance but exceed it in key areas. The future may still be Tesla’s to lose, but Lucid just made the game a whole lot more interesting. And just in case anyone thought Lucid might slow down after this mic-drop moment, they didn’t. In a move that signals long-term intent, Lucid Motors won the bankruptcy auction for Nikola’s Arizona factory and other assets. 

While Tesla’s still sorting out Cybertruck production and selling novelty bottles of tequila, Lucid is buying factories and building next-gen EVs that redefine what’s possible. The tech war may be over, as Trang said, but the empire-building has just begun.

Will these factors significantly impact the competition between Lucid and Tesla, and what other strategic moves might we see from both companies in response?

Comment your thoughts down below. 

Image Sources: Tesla Media Center, Lucid Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.