Prototype of a Chinese electric SUV with 1,000 HP found rotting in California after receiving a million-dollar investment.

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 17/04/2026 at 00:47

67 people reacted to this.

The images of the vehicle reveal that the Chinese electric SUV has suffered from severe exposure to natural elements and vandalism in the Californian desert. Broken windows, flat tires, and the removal of internal components suggest that the prototype has not been maintained for years.

The historical value of the unit, which carries the original components of the 1,000 HP system, contrasts with the neglect in which it was found by motorsport enthusiasts.

Interestingly, the battery system used in this Chinese electric SUV served as the basis for the official power supply for Formula E cars. The engineering contained in that abandoned chassis was, therefore, fundamental to the advancement of global electric mobility. Experts point out that the abandonment of such prototypes is common in the industry when patents and technologies have already been absorbed by successor models, making storage costs unfeasible.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The legacy of the project and the future of Lucid Motors

Although the prototype of the Chinese electric SUV has been left behind, the knowledge generated with the 136 million euros allowed Lucid Motors to launch vehicles with record energy efficiency.

The all-wheel drive system and electronic management tested in “Edna” are considered the precursors of today’s high-voltage technology. The abandoned vehicle remains an industrial monument to the era of the frantic race for investors in the electrification sector.

The discovery sparked debates about the preservation of the technological memory of electric vehicle startups. Many believe that the Chinese electric SUV should be in a museum, given its role in the evolution of induction motors and lithium-ion storage.

While the prototype rots in California, the industry it helped shape continues to expand, driven by the lessons learned during those years of intensive development.

With information from hibridosyelect r icos

Prototype of a Chinese electric SUV with 1,000 HP found rotting in California after receiving a million-dollar investment.

The legacy of the project and the future of Lucid Motors

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