The Lotus Eletre electric SUV will benefit from very fast charging to accompany its multitude of performance and technological features.
The first SUV from the British automaker known for its sports cars, and one of many electric models planned, the Eletre uses an 800-volt electrical architecture that enables fast DC charging of 350 kW, matching the power rate maximum widely available on public chargers in the United States
After revealing the Eletre over a year ago, Lotus finally confirmed this week that the Eletre will be able to accomplish a 10% to 80% charge in 20 minutes, or add 74 miles of range in just five minutes. dump. A standard 22kW AC charger can, when paired with a home wall box to support this, take the battery from 0 to 100 per cent charge in less than six hours, according to Lotus.
Lotus Eletre
Lotus offers base Eletre, mid-level Eletre S and top-of-the-line Eletre R models, all equipped with a 112 kWh battery. The pack features prismatic cells in a cell-to-pack configuration that eliminates battery modules, lowers weight and increases energy density to over 175 Wh/kg, Lotus claims. European WLTP range estimates are 373 miles for the base Eletre and Eletre S, and 304 miles for the Eletre R.
Lotus founder Colin Chapman followed the maxim “simplify and add lightness” when designing Lotus’ small sports cars and race cars, but today’s Lotus engineers could not do much with a vehicle of this size (at 200.9 inches it’s longer than a Range Rover) with a bigger battery on board. Even the lightest Eletre – the base model – weighs 5,489 pounds. It’s with what Lotus claims is heavy use of aluminum in Eletre’s Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) platform.
Performance is not lacking, however. A twin-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain is standard, producing 603 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque in the Eletre and Eletre S, and 905 hp and 726 lb-ft in the Eletre R. This version will do 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 165mph, according to Lotus, while other versions take 4.5 seconds to hit 62mph and hit 160mph. Adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bars, brake-based torque vectoring and four-wheel steering should help manage cornering mass.
Lotus Eletre
Lotus also claims a drag coefficient of just 0.26, with active aerodynamic elements to maximize efficiency and performance. An active grille can open and close as needed for cooling or aerodynamic advantage, while an active rear spoiler can adjust to provide additional downforce or less drag as needed. Pop-up lidar sensors for driver assistance systems and camera mirrors (for Europe and China, at least) help further reduce drag.
Inside, the Eletre features a 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen, 12.6-inch OLED dashboard and 29.0-inch head-up display. The dashboard itself has been designed with the minimum necessary hardware, for even more weight. The available Re-Fibre padding is made from waste from the fashion industry, which reduces raw material consumption, according to Lotus. In keeping with the brand, the automaker also noted that this material is lighter than leather upholstery.
Lotus Eletre
Eletre deliveries have already started in China and are expected to begin in the UK and Europe soon. Prices start at 89,500 pounds sterling and 95,990 euros, or around $114,000 and $105,000 at current exchange rates, respectively. Lotus has not discussed a timeline for US sales.
The Eletre is Lotus’ first volume EV, following the very limited production Evija supercar. The automaker has a notable history with electrification, as the original Tesla Roadster was based on the Lotus Elise.
The brand’s electrification shift is set to continue with the launch of a high-volume sports car in 2026, and potentially push battery cell packaging further in the name of lightness, as well as a coupe to four doors and a smaller SUV. The latter is expected to be unveiled later this year, with the four-door coupe making its debut in 2025.
