[Auto] Lupa E26, the Spanish electric car that will arrive in 2023 for less than 20,000 euros

[G h o s t l y.]

 

Lupa, based in Barcelona, is a start-up that is planning a wide range of low-cost electric vehicles whose biggest advantage lies in a range where they all have interchangeable batteries, which are sold separately to help maintain the lowest price. Its first model, the Lupa E26, will arrive in 2023 and will have a starting price of 17,000 euros, including the battery that the company values at 9,400 euros (without taxes).

The Lupa E26 will use a skateboard-like platform to house a compact powertrain, combining the electric motor, transmission and electronics into a single unit, plus the battery. The brand has not confirmed whether it will develop it internally or buy it from a third party, but they have surely opted for the latter option. In terms of size, the E26 is from the same segment as the Renault Zoe, with dimensions of 4.07 meters in length, 1.78 m in width, 1.5 m in height and 2.59 m in battle (distance between axes).

 

The Catalan manufacturer announces a power of up to 87 kW and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in just 9 seconds. Accumulating 42 kWh of capacity, the battery has a range that ranges between 320 and 400 kilometers (WLTP), depending on the type of driving. According to the information that is available, the E26 has three driving modes that impact the performance of the vehicle and its autonomy; in Sport configuration the engine produces 87 kW (117 hp), while in Normal it will be 66 kW (90 hp) and 48 kW (65 hp) in City.

The E26 recharging time is around eight hours for a single-phase outlet, and five hours and 15 minutes for a three-phase 11 kW installation. With a fast charge in a 100 kW station it is capable of filling from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes. Lupa astutely plans to offer a replaceable battery for around 8,700 euros (with a life expectancy of between eight and 10 years), and the company claims that all models will be able to fit the same battery. In addition, any collaborating workshop can install and repair it.

Beyond its first model, Lupa also plans to launch an electric delivery van optimized for the closest deliveries, followed by two SUV models in 2024, those destined to be called 64 and 42. The latter will be priced close to 11,500 euros. , although without the battery or the taxes included; the final sale price with the battery goes up to 19,100 euros. The Lupa 64, with more autonomy and a 64 kWh battery, will do the same from 23,000 euros. E26 and later models will be sold exclusively online.

“The first model, if you buy it new, will have to be with battery, unless you buy it second-hand from another customer. What we want is that the client can change cars every two or three years without having to make an investment in paying for the battery. In addition, in this way we are able to extend the life of the battery and be more ecological ”, declared the founder of Lupa, Carlos Álvarez, to electdrive.com. Álvarez hopes the idea will not only lead to more sustainable use of the battery in a second life, but also to greater loyalty.