Saudi Arabia is gearing up to introduce a revolutionary addition to its law enforcement arsenal with a forthcoming fleet of fully electric police cars, courtesy of Lucid Motors. Despite facing stock price fluctuations and challenges in car deliveries amidst a slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Lucid is set to receive a significant boost through this partnership, which serves as a strategic advertising opportunity for its vehicles.
The debut of the first-ever police vehicle from Lucid took place on February 4th at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The converted Lucid Air sedan boasts a distinctive black and white police livery, complemented by additional equipment mounted on its roof. This equipment includes what appears to be an oversized setup of siren and strobe lights, ingeniously doubling as a carrier for a police drone. A simple press of a button opens the upper casing, facilitating the launch of the drone.
Initial glimpses of the vehicle, concealed under a transparent cover, were shared by local media outlet Saudi Project on X (formerly Twitter). Subsequently, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of the Interior released a more detailed video showcasing the police cruiser.
Although interior visuals are currently unavailable, it is expected that Lucid has tailored the cabin to meet the specific requirements of law enforcement personnel. These adaptations typically involve the integration of additional screens and a mobile radio device, potentially incorporated into the vehicle's expansive infotainment display.
Given that the World Defense Show extends until February 8th, it is anticipated that more images and details of the EV will emerge online, shedding further light on the fleet.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's significant investment in Lucid Motors, as the country's sovereign fund holds a substantial stake in the company. A strategic agreement has been established between the local government and Lucid, outlining plans to procure up to 100,000 EVs over the next decade, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) having injected $10 billion into the automaker.
Lucid Motors, boasting the only EV factory in the region, is poised to play a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia's transition from conventional fuel vehicles to battery-powered cars. Collaborating with state-owned startup Ceer, a joint venture between PIF and Foxconn, Lucid's Saudi factory is currently engaged in the reassembly of vehicles sourced from the U.S. plant in Arizona.