AT&T has been confirmed as the exclusive connectivity provider for automaker Lucid Motors’ electric vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The telecommunications giant announced the deal at MWC Barcelona.

AT&T’s connectivity will enable Lucid to offer a wide array of different services, including telematics and audio streaming. It will also power intelligent navigation that provides routing which maximizes driving range and reduces the number of stops required for charging. 

And it will facilitate constant over-the-air updates as more features are made available.

The auto industry has become an area of increasing focus for AT&T in recent years, thanks to the rising prevalence of connectivity. It’s been predicted that as many as 95% of the cars on the road will be connected by 2030, and AT&T has taken great advantage of this, amassing an impressively diverse portfolio of around 60 automotive brands, including major players such as Ford and General Motors, Japanese giants Honda, Subaru and Toyota and ultra-premium names like Rolls-Royce and Maserati.

Generally, AT&T powers mobile hotspots and facilitates subscription services like GM’s OnStar, which can provide drivers with advice and even assistance in an emergency.

The deal with Lucid constitutes an interesting addition to its stable. The luxury EV maker, based in Newark, California, has been pitched as an upmarket rival to Tesla and launched its first car in 2021, the Air. It attracted instant acclaim from industry observers for its attractive design and a range of more than 500 miles, and has been hailed by Lucid's CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson as “the best luxury sedan on the market.”

Although currently based in the U.S., Lucid has significant international ambitions and has been backed heavily by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, with plans announced to establish a major factory in the Arab state’s King Abdullah Economic City by 2026.

“The strength of AT&T’s network and IoT leadership in the connected car space are key reasons Lucid chose AT&T to connect our vehicles,” said Michael Bell, Lucid’s senior vice president of digital. “The automotive industry is on the move and together, Lucid and AT&T are creating new possibilities for drivers and vehicles.”

Cameron Coursey, vice president, AT&T Connected Solutions, added: “Connectivity is beneficial in all types of vehicles and gives owners the latest driving experiences. Lucid Motors represents the future of the connected car. From initial design to final product and beyond, connectivity helps keep EVs healthy, updated and on the road longer.”