You’ll still have the option to drive a Lotus solely on gasoline.
Earlier this week, Lotus revealed it will not transition to an all-electric lineup by 2028 as previously planned. The Geely-owned brand has now provided early insights into its strategy to keep gasoline engines in the mix. During the Q3 2024 earnings call, CEO Feng Qingfeng highlighted the development of Hyper Hybrid technology, reaffirming the company’s plans to retain internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future.
The upcoming plug-in hybrid system promises a maximum driving range exceeding 684 miles (1,100 kilometers). Notably, according to Feng (via a translator), the setup will allow cars to operate exclusively on gasoline when needed. He also explained that a combustion engine can be more efficient than an electric motor at higher speeds, such as during highway driving.
Lotus refers to its combustion engine as an “ultra-fast on-the-drive charging” system, essentially marketing speak for the engine functioning as a generator. This internal combustion engine (ICE) will charge the battery five times faster than the energy consumed during normal driving, enabling vehicles equipped with the Hyper Hybrid system to deliver “uninterrupted electric performance in any situation.” Lotus promises strong acceleration even in “extreme cold weather” and at high speeds.
When acting as a generator, the ICE charges the battery to provide a driving experience similar to a pure EV but with significantly extended range—so long as there’s enough gasoline in the tank. This concept isn’t entirely new, as other vehicles like the BMW i3 REx and Mazda MX-30 R-EV with its rotary engine have used range-extending gas engines. Upcoming models like the Ram 1500 Ramcharger and Scout vehicles are also expected to adopt this approach.
While it’s exciting to see Lotus keeping the combustion engine in play, it seems it will primarily operate behind the scenes. This approach also raises concerns about weight, as range-extenders add complexity to already heavy EVs. For context, Lotus’s Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan both tip the scales at over 5,000 pounds, a far cry from Colin Chapman’s famous “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy.
That said, extending the lifespan of the gas engine could attract more buyers. Lotus has already made significant progress, with sales surging by 136% in the first nine months of the year to reach 7,617 units.
