Peter Rawlinson, the recipient of Autocar’s prestigious 2025 Sturmey Award for innovation, is a key figure in the world of electric vehicles (EVs). With a background in engineering and a passion for cars dating back to his childhood in South Wales, Rawlinson has played a pivotal role in the development of two groundbreaking EVs: the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air.
The Tesla Model S, launched in 2012, was a game-changer in the EV industry, thanks to its progressive design and use of lithium-ion batteries. Rawlinson’s involvement in the Model S project laid the foundation for his work on the Lucid Air, a vehicle that represents a new era of EV efficiency. The Lucid Air, which aims to reduce its dependence on heavy and expensive batteries, is just the beginning of Lucid’s ambitious plans for affordable, long-range EV models.
Rawlinson’s journey from working on advanced body design at Jaguar to founding his own kit car company and eventually joining Tesla showcases his passion for innovation and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the automotive industry. His vision for the future of EVs is centered around reducing battery size and cost while maintaining top-end range and performance, a goal that Lucid is actively working towards.
By focusing on weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, better battery cooling, and more efficient motors, Rawlinson and the team at Lucid are striving to advance the art of electric cars. Their ultimate goal is to make EVs that can go farther with less battery power, setting a new standard for sustainability and performance in the automotive world.
As Rawlinson continues to advise the creative teams at Lucid, his legacy as a driving force in the EV industry is secure. With a relentless drive to innovate and improve, he is shaping the future of electric vehicles and inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of automotive technology.
