[Auto] Report: Lotus Backtracks on EV Plans, Will Offer Plug-In Hybrids

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Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng has announced at the Guangzhou, China, auto show that Lotus will introduce plug-in-hybrid range-extender powertrains, as reported by Autocar. The setup will use turbocharged gas engines and will be capable of ultra-rapid charging thanks to a 900-volt electrical architecture.

Lotus has not said when the system will arrive and in which models we can expect to see it. A few years ago, Lotus announced big plans to go electric. The Emira sports car was set to be the brand's final internal-combustion vehicle, and Lotus has since launched the electric Eletre SUV and Emeya

sedan in global markets. These two models were due to be followed by a smaller electric SUV and an EV sports car. But now Lotus is backtracking, announcing that it will introduce

plug-in hybrids featuring internal-combustion engines in the near future, as reported by Autocar. The decision was confirmed by Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng at the Guangzhou

auto show in China, Autocar reported. The range-extender plug-in-hybrid system, which Feng dubbed "Super Hybrid," will combine a turbocharged gas engine with batteries that support

ultra-rapid charging. The company aims to use the range-extender gas engine to boost the overall driving range to 680 miles.

 

Link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62979639/lotus-plug-in-hybrid-range-extender-reported/