Chinese-owned Lotus told the world in 2021 that the brand will only build electric cars by 2028 at the latest. That is no longer the case.
Lotus drops its ceiling to only produce electric cars in 2028. The brand instead bets on hybrid technology. The Chinese-owned car factory now confirms this.
The change in plans occurs mainly because the more affluent customers that Lotus wants to talk to ignore the electric cars. Even in the largest markets – i.a. China and Germany.
According to Autocar, Lotus director Feng Qingfeng must have said at the motor show in the city of Guangzhou that Lotus will now go for a 'super hybrid technology'. It apparently covers a combination of fast charging and an efficient petrol engine with a turbo.
When it comes to range, Lotus believes that it is now able to deliver cars that cover up to 1,100 kilometers on a full tank.
– At Lotus, we have always chosen the best available technology, whether it is pure petrol, pure electricity, hybrid or range extender for an electric car, Feng says to the Wall Street Journal.
Said no thanks in 2021
Feng's statements are a marked change from Lotus's original position. In 2021, the brand would have nothing to do with hybrid cars. The technology was too complicated, it seemed. Especially when the batteries were dead.
Director Feng now says the car brand will solve the problem it previously tried to avoid with a 900-volt battery architecture that can "flash charge" faster than battery replacement.
For comparison, the Porsche Taycan is currently running around with an 800 volt architecture. But it is not without problems. Read more about it here .
It is still unclear which models Lotus plans to equip with the new hybrid technology. New versions of the SUV Eletre and the sedan Emeya could be an offer. And even if that would increase the weight of the cars. On the other hand, Lotus' cars are not exactly lighter today.
Here at home, according to the Danish car importers' organization Mobility Denmark, 22 new Lotuses were sold between 1 January and 31 October this year. 20 of them are the SUV Eletre.
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