Lotus is determined to become a pure electric brand by 2028, and to achieve this goal, the automaker is heavily investing in charging infrastructure to make the transition for electric vehicle owners more convenient.
Lotus has developed its own DC fast chargers and has already installed them at various locations in China. Unlike Tesla’s Supercharger network, Lotus is not building its own charging stations, but rather working with fleets, dealerships, and companies that operate charging stations to have fast chargers installed in strategic locations.
The company aims to have its chargers, designed to be compatible with EVs from rival brands, available in the majority of European countries and parts of the Middle East by the second half of 2024. Details for the U.S. market have not yet been announced.
The fast chargers can deliver charging rates of up to 450 kw, significantly higher than most DC fast chargers in operation today, including Tesla's Superchargers. In the Lotus Eletre R SUV, Lotus claims that such a rate can provide nearly 90 miles of range with just five minutes of charging and a 10-80% charge in merely 20 minutes.
Chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kw have also been developed, which can provide nearly 75 miles of range in five minutes, according to Lotus.
Lotus' rival, Porsche, is building its own network of charging stations, with the first locations featuring chargers that deliver rates of up to 300 kw. Porsche plans to add chargers capable of delivering rates of up to 400 kw in the near future.
Lotus is quickly expanding its EV offerings, with the latest being the Emeya sedan unveiled in September, following the Electre midsize SUV and the Evija hypercar. A compact crossover and a sports car are also in the works, with the latter set to replace the Emira, which Lotus has confirmed will be its last model featuring a gas engine.
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Lotus is renowned for its high-performance sports cars, and with the launch of the Lotus Eletre, it marks its entry into the electric SUV market, marking a step up from the current standard for electric SUVs with its ‘ultra-luxury’ design.
Detail: Lotus Eletre partners with Uber
Anyone considering a Lotus Eletre will need to brace for a hefty dose of sticker shock.
The electric midsize SUV is now available for reservation for U.S. buyers, with a starting price of $229,900, a significant jump from the $107,000 announced just last spring.
Detail: Lotus Eletre Price Doubles to $229,900
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