The world of cars – that magical place where dreams of speed and adventure crash headlong into the grim reality of traffic jams and parking fines. But hold your horses, because Uber has just unleashed a plan that sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, minus the aliens but with a hefty jolt of electric swagger. They’ve inked a deal to snap up a whopping 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs, those luxurious beasts set to conquer the streets as self-driving taxis. That’s right: no more grumpy drivers muttering about traffic, no more awkward tip debates, just you, an app, and a car that drives itself. Buckle up, because this isn’t just an order – it’s a seismic shift on wheels.
Let’s talk about the Lucid Gravity first. This isn’t your average grocery-getter; it’s a fully electric SUV that looks like it rolled straight out of a future James Bond film. Lucid, the American brand that already turned heads with their Air model – a beast so powerful it’ll make your hair stand on end without a drop of petrol – is now stepping it up with the Gravity. Picture plush interiors, batteries that give you range for days, and a design that screams, “I’m expensive, I’m green, and I laugh in the face of your old diesel clunker.” The Gravity hits the market later this year, but Uber’s not waiting around: deliveries start next year, spread over six years. By 2032, the streets could be crawling with these autonomous monsters, ready to pick you up without you even waving.
And what about the self-driving bit? Enter Nuro, a company that’s been tinkering with AI and hardware for autonomous driving tech since 2016. Their Nuro Driver system promises level 4 autonomy – meaning the car can handle most situations without you lifting a finger. Uber’s already testing this in Las Vegas, and from 2026, they’ll roll it out in a yet-to-be-named major city, with plans to expand to dozens of markets worldwide. Picture this: you order a ride, a Gravity glides silently to you, and while you kick back with a coffee, it navigates traffic like a pro. No small talk with the driver, no arguments over the route – pure, battery-powered bliss.
Let’s be real, though – this isn’t a charity gig. Uber’s pouring hundreds of millions into Lucid and Nuro, with a cool 300 million just for Lucid. For Lucid, which has been struggling with lackluster sales, this is a lifeline. Finally, a guaranteed customer buying thousands of cars over years. For Uber, it’s a giant leap toward their robotaxi dream: a fleet of premium electric SUVs that can go toe-to-toe with other ride-hailing giants. And Nuro? They’re positioning themselves as the go-to for autonomous tech, not just for taxis but for commercial fleets and even private cars. It’s a three-way love affair that smells like success – or at least like fresh tires and charged batteries.
Of course, as with everything in the car world, there are hurdles. Will this level 4 autonomy really work flawlessly in a chaotic city like Brussels or Amsterdam? What happens when it rains, or a cyclist darts out of nowhere? And let’s not forget the cost: these Gravitys are luxury beasts, so your ride might hit your wallet harder than a standard UberX. But for that price, you get a car quieter than a mouse in a library and greener than a salad bar. It’s the future barreling toward us, ready or not.
All in all, this deal is shaking up the auto industry. Uber isn’t just going electric; they’re going electric with a turbo boost of autonomy. If you love innovation that makes life easier – and who doesn’t? – this is the kind of news that makes you grin. And to the skeptics: give it a shot. The days of smelly exhausts and roaring engines are numbered; welcome to the era of the silent revolution.
For those itching to dive into the electric world themselves, check out our marketplace where you can search for and buy 100% electric cars. See the lineup here: https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/
