Peter Rawlinson: The Engineer Who Created the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air

Peter Rawlinson is the CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors. A renowned British engineer, he previously served as the Chief Engineer of the Tesla Model S. Joining Lucid (then Atieva) in 2013, he transformed the company from a battery supplier into a luxury automaker, designing the Lucid Air to be the most efficient EV in the world.

The Master of Efficiency

Peter Rawlinson is arguably the most accomplished automotive engineer working today. Born in South Wales, he built his reputation on British engineering excellence, holding key roles at Jaguar and Lotus. His philosophy is obsessed with "efficiency"—getting the most range and power from the smallest possible space and weight.

The Tesla Model S Era

Before Lucid, Rawlinson was the Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla. He was the Chief Engineer responsible for the Model S, the car that put electric vehicles on the map. Working directly with Elon Musk, he solved critical engineering challenges that allowed the Model S to become a reality. He left Tesla in 2012, feeling he had more to offer.

Transforming Atieva into Lucid

In 2013, Rawlinson joined a battery technology company called Atieva (founded by Bernard Tse and Sam Weng). He had a condition: he didn't want to just sell batteries; he wanted to build the best car in the world. Under his guidance, the company rebranded as Lucid Motors. He designed the Lucid Air from a clean sheet, utilizing his miniaturized powertrain technology to create a luxury sedan with record-breaking range (over 500 miles) and interior space.

A Rivalry of Engineering

Rawlinson is often seen as the rational foil to Elon Musk. While Musk sells a vision of the future, Rawlinson sells pure engineering metrics. He famously stated that Lucid acts as a "technological tour de force" to push the entire industry, including Tesla, to be better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Peter Rawlinson and what is his legacy in the EV industry?

<p><strong>Peter Rawlinson</strong> is a world-renowned British engineer and the former CEO and CTO of <strong>Lucid Motors</strong>. He is best known for his dual legacy: serving as the Chief Engineer of the <strong>Tesla Model S</strong> and later spearheading the <strong>Lucid Air</strong>, which redefined luxury electric vehicle (<abbr title="Electric Vehicle">EV</abbr>) efficiency. In 2026, he remains a pivotal figure as a Strategic Technical Advisor, focusing on the "Technology Footrace" to make EVs more affordable through extreme powertrain miniaturization.</p>

What was Peter Rawlinson’s role at Tesla?

<p>Rawlinson joined Tesla in 2009 as the Vice President of Vehicle Engineering and served as the <strong>Chief Engineer for the Model S</strong>. He was responsible for taking the car from a clean-sheet concept to production readiness. He famously managed a team of 150 engineers, focusing on the vehicle’s structural integrity and the integrated battery pack design that established Tesla as a leader in the premium EV market before his departure in 2012.</p>

How did Peter Rawlinson transform Lucid Motors?

<p>Joining in 2013 when the company was still known as <strong>Atieva</strong>, Rawlinson transformed the firm into <strong>Lucid Motors</strong>. He pivoted the company from a battery supplier to a full-scale automaker. Under his leadership, Lucid developed the <strong>900V+ architecture</strong> and the most power-dense electric motors in the world. He oversaw the construction of the <strong>AMP-1 factory</strong> in Arizona and successfully launched the Lucid Air, which achieved an <abbr title="Environmental Protection Agency">EPA</abbr>-estimated range of 516 miles, a world record for 2026 production cars.</p>

What is Peter Rawlinson’s 2026 vision for "Affordable Efficiency"?

<p>In 2026, Rawlinson’s primary engineering focus is on <strong>efficiency as the new currency</strong>. He advocates for achieving 6 miles per <abbr title="Kilowatt-hour">kWh</abbr>, which would allow for smaller, lighter, and cheaper battery packs. His vision is that by perfecting high-efficiency drive units—like the 2026 <strong>"Atlas" drivetrain</strong>—the industry can produce vehicles with a 250-mile range using only a 40-50 <abbr title="Kilowatt-hour">kWh</abbr> battery, drastically lowering the entry price for US consumers to around $30,000.</p>

Did Peter Rawlinson work for Jaguar and Lotus?

<p>Yes, Rawlinson has a prestigious background in traditional British automotive engineering. He served as the <strong>Principal Engineer at Jaguar Cars</strong>, focusing on advanced vehicle packaging and crash safety. Later, as <strong>Chief Engineer at Lotus Cars</strong>, he led the engineering for the legendary <strong>Lotus Elise</strong>. This experience with lightweight bonded-aluminum structures deeply influenced his "inside-out" design philosophy at both Tesla and Lucid, prioritizing weight reduction to boost performance.</p>

What is the 2026 Lucid Gravity SUV project led by Rawlinson?

<p>The <strong>Lucid Gravity</strong>, which entered full-scale production in late 2024 and ramped up through 2026, is Rawlinson’s solution for the luxury SUV segment. Designed to offer the performance of a supercar and the space for seven adults, the Gravity utilizes the next-generation <strong>900V architecture</strong>. Rawlinson ensured the vehicle maintained a range exceeding 440 miles while featuring a compact motor that allows for a massive "frunk" and class-leading interior volume.</p>

Why did Peter Rawlinson step down as CEO in 2025?

<p>In February 2025, Peter Rawlinson stepped down as CEO and CTO of Lucid Group to transition into the role of <strong>Strategic Technical Advisor</strong> to the Chairman. This move allowed him to step away from day-to-day corporate operations and focus entirely on <strong>advanced technology development</strong> and the 2026 launch of the new <strong>Midsize Platform</strong>. This platform is intended to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 at a $48,000–$50,000 price point.</p>

How does Rawlinson’s "Wunderbox" technology work?

<p>The <strong>Wunderbox</strong> is a proprietary, multi-purpose charging unit developed under Rawlinson’s guidance. It acts as a boosted DC-to-DC converter and an on-board charger. In 2026, it supports <strong>bi-directional charging</strong> (Vehicle-to-Home or V2H), allowing a Lucid vehicle to power a house during an outage. Its unique 900V design makes it compatible with nearly all public charging stations while enabling some of the fastest charging speeds in the USA.</p>

What is the 2026 partnership between Lucid and Aston Martin?

<p>Under a strategic deal initiated by Rawlinson, Lucid supplies high-performance <strong>electric powertrains and battery systems</strong> to <strong>Aston Martin</strong>. By 2026, this partnership has positioned Lucid as a Tier 1 technology supplier to the luxury segment. This fulfills one of Rawlinson’s core goals: to see Lucid’s industry-leading efficiency "cascade down" to other manufacturers to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy.</p>

What are Peter Rawlinson’s educational credentials?

<p>Peter Rawlinson is a graduate of <strong>Imperial College London</strong>, where he earned his degree in <strong>Mechanical Engineering</strong> in 1979. He was a pioneer in the UK for using computer-aided design (<abbr title="Computer-Aided Design">CAD</abbr>) and finite element analysis (<abbr title="Finite Element Analysis">FEA</abbr>) in the 1980s at Jaguar. His deep technical roots in <strong>computational prototyping</strong> are why he is often seen in 2026 technical deep-dives explaining the physics of magnetic flux and stator design to enthusiasts.</p>