Lotus, the Geely-owned British luxury carmaker, has announced a significant pivot away from its ambitious plan to become an all-electric brand by 2028. Instead, it will focus on developing “Super Hybrid” technology that combines a turbocharged combustion engine with advanced electric systems, catering to the preferences of high-end consumers.
The decision was announced by Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng at the Guangzhou Motor Show. While electric vehicles (EVs) have made strides in the mainstream market, luxury car buyers have proven slower to adopt, according to Qingfeng.
“Luxury car engines are already very powerful, and the driving experience is quite similar, with eight-cylinder and 12-cylinder engines performing well,” Qingfeng explained. These factors, coupled with slower sales growth in the premium EV segment, have steered Lotus back toward hybrids. (via Autocar)
Lotus’s new strategy will instead focus on the development of its “Super Hybrid” powertrains. These extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) aim to address common limitations of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) while offering an alternative to pure EVs. The system will pair a turbocharged combustion engine with a high-voltage, ultra-fast charging battery architecture.
According to Lotus, this combination will deliver an impressive range of up to 680 miles (1,094km), with battery recharge times faster than traditional EV charging or even battery-swapping systems.
Lotus plans to achieve this through a 900-volt electrical system, allowing for rapid “flash-charging.” The goal is to eliminate the sluggishness often associated with EREVs when the battery is depleted, ensuring a seamless driving experience even under extended use.
The switch to hybrid technology is not just about consumer preferences—it is also a tactical decision influenced by global trade dynamics. By incorporating internal combustion engines (ICEs) into its vehicles, Lotus can sidestep hefty tariffs imposed on Chinese-made EVs in the European Union. With its manufacturing base in China, this shift offers significant cost advantages while enabling the brand to maintain its presence in key markets.
China’s surging demand for PHEVs and EREVs has also played a role in Lotus’s strategic pivot. The Chinese market accounted for 25% of the brand’s sales in the first 10 months of 2024, second only to Europe. As competitors like Zeekr, another Geely-owned brand, enter the PHEV space, Lotus is positioning itself to capitalize on this growing segment.
