Lucid Motors‘ plans to expand to ‘roughly 20 cities’ across Europe by the end of 2026, up from eight currently, as the premium EV maker prepares to enter Belgium, Denmark, and several other markets
“We are operating in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Norway,” Lawrence Hamilton, the company’s President for the European Region told Automotive News.
“In Germany, we are in four cities now and plan to expand to 15 or 16, with at least 12 expected to be operational by the end of 2026. Across Europe, we are in eight cities and targeting roughly 20 by 2026.”
Hamilton confirmed Belgium as a launch market for 2026, while Denmark remains “under active review.”
“We’re selective in choosing markets — Belgium is small overall but strong in premium EV demand,” Lucid‘s executive said.
“We launched the Lucid Air as our technology flagship and have now introduced the Gravity SUV in Europe, which broadens our customer base. A midsize model will follow,” he added.
The first batch of the large SUV Gravity is currently on its way to Europe, the interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said earlier this week.
The first deliveries are planned for early next year.
Tax Incentives ‘Matter More’
Hamilton said targeted incentives have proven most effective in driving EV adoption across European markets, with tax policy playing a more significant role than direct purchase subsidies.
“Norway is near 100% EV adoption. Denmark is in the 75 to 80% range,” Hamilton noted. “Targeted incentives work, particularly early on. Tax incentives matter more than upfront grants; they shift purchasing behavior and build confidence.”
The executive said incentives tied to vehicle efficiency can also address concerns about grid demand and fairness, while fleet policy represents “a strong lever” for accelerating adoption.
“In many countries, corporate fleets represent 60% or more of new-car sales,” Hamilton said.
“Businesses refresh vehicles faster, feeding the used-EV market and accelerating mass adoption. Many companies already have sustainability targets, so aligning policy there is highly effective,” the executive added.
Tariffs ‘Only One Piece’
Asked whether declining import duties might change Lucid‘s position on importing vehicles from the United States, Hamilton cautioned that tariffs represent just one factor in a complex global supply chain.
“Any savings from reduced duties may be offset by costs in aluminum, semiconductors or other components,” Hamilton said. “Trade wars generally undermine stability and business planning. Predictability matters most.”
First Registrations in Spain
Data published by EU-EVs, which reports daily vehicle registrations across European markets, shows Lucid registered three Air sedans in Spain during November — two Air Pure units and one Air Touring.
Another Air Pure was registered within the first four days of December.
It remains unclear whether the registrations are part of Lucid‘s go-to-market plans for Spain or vehicles imported by individual customers.
Earlier this year, Hamilton had identified Spain among the top five European markets the company was targeting over 18 months, alongside the UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
Weak European Demand Persists
The expansion plans come as Lucid continues to face weak demand across its existing European markets.
Lucid‘s European registrations stood at 42 in November, data compiled by EV showed earlier this week.
Last month’s figures represent a tenfold increase from the record low registered in October with just four units.
Sales in Germany had reached a 30-month low in October, according to official KBA registration data. A year earlier, Lucid had registered 134 vehicles in the same month, with 129 sold in the German market alone.
Mixed Retail Model
Lucid is transitioning from a direct-to-customer sales model to a mixed retail approach in Europe, starting with Germany before expanding to other markets in 2026.
New market entries in Belgium, Denmark, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain will rely exclusively on local dealer partnerships, according to Hamilton.
Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff had confirmed last September that Lucid plans to open in eight additional European markets next year, tripling its presence on the continent.
