Thanks to technology like this, recharging an EV will be almost as easy as filling your gas tank.
The Shanghai Auto Show is in full swing, and Lotus has taken the opportunity to reveal a 500-kilowatt electric car charger, replete with its very own robotic arm. This fast charger is ideal for the Eletre SUV, which can charge from 10-80% in just 20 minutes.
First reported by Autocar, the company's futuristic DC fast charger will be rolled out across China and will reportedly be open to all EVs, regardless of make or model. The Geely-owned sports car maker has not confirmed whether the new charger will be offered in America or Europe, but 500 kW chargers would be a superb addition to our ever-growing charging infrastructure.
But fast-charging capabilities aren't the only impressive thing about Lotus' latest creation.
Shock @lotuscars unveiling! But it's not a car – it's a robotic charging device which can top up any electric car at up to 500kW… pic.twitter.com/V82qgmG7MJ
— Autocar (@autocar) April 18, 2023
A concealed robotic arm extends out from the charger and automatically connects to the vehicle with ease. That means Eletre owners don't have to do anything as banal as connecting the charger themselves; they can simply park the vehicle and let the robotic arm do the dirty work.
While impressive, Lotus isn't the only brand developing a robot-operated charging port. Just last month, Hyundai previewed its Automatic Charging Robot. While the idea of an automatically-operated charger may seem unnecessary, the Korean automaker claims that it brings untold benefits to those with mobility barriers.
Getting back to the unnamed Lotus charger, the high charging speeds will speed up this mundane task. It's worth noting the Eletre can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW. Other plush EVs, such as the Mercedes EQS SUV, can be charged at speeds of up to 200 kW.
Lotus isn't the only automaker with a 500 kW charger at its disposal. Chinese automaker Nio – the company behind the stunning EP9 electric supercar – has already begun installing 500 kW chargers across 12 cities in China.
Lotus is expected to embark on a similar project in the coming years in order to accommodate a series of new electric vehicles from the Norfolk-based brand. This includes the forthcoming Envya, a battery-powered sedan aimed at toppling the Taycan, and a potential electric sports car.
Die-hard fans of the Lotus brand may lament the direction in which the company is heading, but aficionados can take comfort in the fact that the new Emira, the company's final ICE-powered car, is still available for purchase.
Keyword: See Lotus Eletre's 500 kW EV Charger Connect With A Robotic Arm