If you ever wondered how well large EVs handle long-distance travel when time is of the essence, the recent Eastern Edge extreme EV race brings us the answer. Out of Spec Motoring, in partnership with several friendly EV channels (including State Of Charge) and enthusiasts, gathered seven 7-seat EVs and raced them over 2,043 miles from Fort Kent, Maine, to Key West, Florida.
It was a real adventure and a test of what can be achieved with modern EVs and the existing DC fast-charging infrastructure. Given the distance, driving range was less important than DC fast-charging performance and range replenishment rate.
The tested EV fleet included (alphabetically):
- Cadillac Escalade IQ
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Lucid Gravity GT
- Lucid Gravity GT (2nd)
- Rivian R1S Dual with Max battery
- Tesla Model X Long Range AWD
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz AWD
Our very own Tom Moloughney participated in the Eastern Edge in one of the Lucid Gravity GT EVs, together with Cyp (@cypsad / X) and Michael Rauch (@Michael_L_Rauch / X).
It was a very special entry, as Tom’s team was the only one limited to using Tesla Supercharging infrastructure. All other teams were allowed to use any DC fast chargers of their choice to reach the destination as fast as possible. That’s a major constraint, both in the number of available charging locations and in power output (the Lucid Gravity GT can’t draw full power from low-voltage Superchargers). Nonetheless, Tom’s team did surprisingly well.
State Of Charge’s video and this article summarize the race and results from Tom’s perspective.
Before The Race: What To Expect
For long-distance travel, when the driving range is only a fraction of the total distance, the initial range of an EV plays a smaller role than during everyday use. The most important factor is a vehicle’s DC fast-charging capability, specifically its range replenishment rate.
EV manufacturers often provide basic charging data, including the time required to charge from 10% to 80% state of charge (SOC) or the maximum 10-minute range replenishment rate for a particular model. These numbers are very important, although they can sometimes be rough (applied to all versions of a particular model) or estimates. They are usually based on the EPA range, whereas real-world driving is not EPA-compliant (typically at higher speeds with different energy consumption). We can use them as a foundation, but there are always nuances that we can identify in detailed DC fast-charging analyses.
Below is a comparison of several large EVs. The yellow points indicate the average range replenishment rate during 10-80% SOC sessions, while the red points typically represent peak values.
DC fast charging comparison: range replenishment rate. (Source: State Of Charge)
Lucid Gravity GT
This calculated range replenishment rate (in miles per minute) shows that the Lucid Gravity GT, with its 200 miles in 12 minutes, was the favorite in the race. It simply replenishes range faster than other EVs, so we expected it to win.
Tom’s Lucid Gravity GT was limited to Supercharging, which affects range replenishing speed, potentially by several minutes per stop. At roughly 10 stops, the difference in this one element could add up to an hour of driving time. On top of this, there were fewer charging locations than for the Lucid Gravity GT team without the constraint.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
The Cadillac Escalade IQ offers the longest range of up to 465 miles, and it’s also a DC fast-charging monster, which can replenish over 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.
One could list the Cadillac Escalade IQ as the primary candidate for third place, but the energy consumption of this large EVs was expected to take a toll, especially at higher speeds.
Tesla Model X LR AWD
The Tesla Model X is not a new vehicle, but it still offers solid long-distance travel capabilities. The manufacturer says it can recharge up to 179 miles of range in 15 minutes, putting it in a position to compete with the Cadillac Escalade IQ.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 delivers good charging performance with a 10-80% SOC time of 24 minutes. This is one of the best results for a non-premium brand.
Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is a vehicle created for adventures, so a race like Eastern Edge should have been a piece of cake. However, its charging specs are not the best. The model is expected to replenish 150 miles of range in 20 minutes, and some data indicates a 10-80% charging time of 41 minutes. The real-world results might be better, but on paper, we expected that the Rivian would be behind the Hyundai Ioniq 9.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The model with the lowest range replenishment rate in the group was the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, with just over 5 miles/minute on average. With results like this (and a low initial range), the ID. Buzz was poised to end last. That’s why we wished that this model came with a higher charging speed.
We Race 7 Electric SUVs 2,000 Miles From Freezing Canada To Sunny Florida (source: State Of Charge)
Eastern Edge: Race Results
The Eastern Edge ended with an expected win for the Lucid Gravity GT (the one without charging constraints), followed by another Lucid Gravity GT (the one limited to use only Superchargers). However, there were many surprises in the results.
The total time for all participants:
- Lucid Gravity GT: 33 hours and 20 minutes
- Lucid Gravity GT (Superchargers only): +21 minutes
- Tesla Model X Long Range AWD: +47 minutes
- Cadillac Escalade IQ: +1 hour and 56 minutes
- Rivian R1S Dual with Max battery: +2 hours and 4 minutes
- Hyundai Ioniq 9: +2 hours and 18 minutes
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz AWD: +6 hours and 27 minutes
Eastern Edge Race Results (Source: State Of Charge)
Lucid Gravity GT: To Supercharge or Not?
The first takeaway from the race is that the difference between the two Lucid Gravity GTs is not big. A 21-minute difference after more than 33 hours of driving is practically meaningless. This is a key conclusion: whether to focus on 400-kW high-voltage chargers or low-voltage units, especially if they are in a more favorable location. The boost converter performs well in low-voltage applications, and one should choose whichever is more convenient.
A side note that we have to point out is that Tom’s team put a lot of effort into maximizing Supercharging and competing with the pros from Out Of Spec’s Kyle Conner team. Congratulations!
Efficient Tesla Model X Still Holds the Line
The aging Tesla Model X does not offer the highest peak charging power, but like other Teslas, the whole package is very well tailored. The car is very efficient, and its range replenishment rate is pretty good, which, combined with the right charging strategy (keeping sessions relatively short), translates into a surprisingly good result.
The Tesla Model X finished third, only 47 minutes behind the fastest Lucid Gravity GT. That’s an amazing result, noticeably outpacing the Cadillac Escalade IQ, which on paper should be at least comparable. The primary factor behind this success was the IQ’s average efficiency of 3.12 miles/kWh.
Cadillac Escalade IQ Is an Electron Guzzler
The Cadillac Escalade IQ charges fast, but it’s also an electron guzzler. The fact that it had the lowest efficiency of all the EVs (1.8 miles per kWh) was the main reason why it had no chance against the Tesla Model X (3.12 miles per kWh), especially at higher speeds.
The Cadillac Escalade IQ arrived in Key West, Florida, almost two hours after the Lucid Gravity GT and more than one hour after the Tesla Model X. It’s a large EV intended for maximum comfort and a huge battery for long driving range, but the energy consumption takes its toll.
Pretty Good Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S performed better than we expected based on the specs. It completed the race in over two hours after the Lucid Gravity GT, right behind the Cadillac Escalade IQ (8 minutes behind). That’s pretty good.
Moreover, the Rivian R1S beat the Hyundai Ioniq 9 by 14 minutes. That’s a surprise, as the specs suggested that the Hyundai Ioniq 9 would finish ahead of the Rivian R1S.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Don’t Race With It
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz had the weakest specs among the tested EVs, and its results proved it. The ID. Buzz arrived nearly 6.5 hours after the Lucid Gravity GT, with most of the difference due to charging.
To no one’s surprise, there’s a massive difference between a 15+ miles/minute and 5+ miles/minute range replenishment rate.
Eastern Edge: Lucid Gravity GT’s Charge Log
In addition to the general results, State Of Charge also prepared a charge log of the Lucid Gravity GT. The car covered 2,043 miles using 737.1 kWh, including charging losses.
Charging time totaled 216 minutes—nearly 20 minutes per stop on average (11 charging stops). The average distance between the charging stops was 170 miles.
Eastern Edge: Lucid Gravity GT Charge Log (Source: State Of Charge)
The total cost of charging was $367.71 (almost $0.5/kWh), which is high. However, if one relies mostly on home charging and uses DC fast charging only when necessary for long-distance travel, the average cost should be much lower than the cost of refueling a gasoline vehicle.
Video timestamps:
0:05:16 In Fort Kent, Maine, getting ready to start the race
0:11:58 The race begins
0:18:17 Stop #1 Portland, ME
0:28:00 Stop #2 Willington, CT
0:30:35 Stop #3 East Windsor, NJ
0:32:43 Stop #4 Bellair, MD
0:34:04 Stop #6, Kenly, NC
0:39:21 Stop #7 Florence, SC
0:42:04 Stop #8 Pooler, GA
0:43:49 Update after leaving stop #9 in St Augustine, FL
0:55:14 Final check-in before we hit the finish line
1:04:45 We reach the finish line
1:09:46 The final results
1:12:39 Tom’s thoughts on the consumption rates
1:15:12 The Gravity’s charging difference on Superchargers vs 400 kW DC fast chargers
1:20:18 Team Gravity Supercharger’s complete race data
1:30:18 The wrap-up
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