Snapshot
- All mainstream Lotus models to be electric from 2023
- Four-door sedan, SUV and sports car to be launched over the next five years
- Emira could be its final combustion engine-powered vehicle
British manufacturer Lotus has committed to electric vehicle production as a part of its ‘Driving Change’ campaign.
At the launch of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Charter, the Hethel-based manufacturer announced its entire mainstream model range will be fully electric from 2023, starting with the Eletre revealed earlier this year.
Codenamed Type 132 when it was under development, the Eletre SUV is the first mass-market EV from Lotus in addition to the Evija electric hypercar, the latter of which won’t be a common sight at your local supermarket carpark with a price tag of over $3 million when it launches later this year.
Lotus Cars Managing Director Matt Windle
In addition to the aforementioned EVs, Lotus plans to introduce three more electric models over the next five years – the Type 133 four-door sports sedan in 2023, the Type 134 SUV in 2025 and finally the Type 135, a lightweight next-generation sports car in 2026.
Lotus believes this product mix will allow it to enact its Vision80 strategy, transforming the former low-volume sports car manufacturer into a “truly global performance car business and brand ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2028”.
Aiming to go net-zero through committing to become a SBTi (Science-Based Target initiative) organisation, Lotus Cars’ Managing Director, Matt Windle, says it’s the responsibility of the manufacturer to be at the forefront of environmental change.
“Our new ESG Charter formalises many activities that we have been carrying out for a number of years,” said Windle. “Lotus as a business has always been agile, efficient and impactful within the automotive industry.
“Now, more than ever, as we transform rapidly to become a global pioneer of electric performance vehicles, we recognise our responsibility to do so in ways that lead our industry in minimising its impact on the environment, benefitting society and the planet as a whole.”
The Lotus model range of combustion engine-powered cars has recently been reduced to just the Emira, with the mid-engined sports car set to be its final non-electric mainstream model before it’s replaced by the Type 135 from 2026.
While the Emira’s lifespan is set to be short, Lotus began production of the sports car at its new Chapman Production Centre last month, a facility which will eventually be home to its local EV production alongside the Wuhan plant of its Chinese owners Geely.
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Keyword: Lotus to go all-electric from 2023