• Lotus is developing a series plug-in hybrid powertrain called the Hyper Hybrid EV
  • Lotus cited evolving market demands for abandoning the previous electric-only stance
  • Lotus delivered 7,600 vehicles in the first nine months of 2024, up 136% versus the same period a year ago

The Lotus Emira sports car won’t be the brand’s last car with a gas engine after all.

The automaker used last week’s 2024 Guangzhou auto show in China to announce new plug-in hybrid technology called the Hyper Hybrid EV powertrain.

Lotus EletreLotus Eletre

The powertrain is still being developed, but Lotus said vehicles equipped with it will be able to cover a distance of 684 miles, using a mix of gasoline and electricity stored in a battery. Lotus also said the electrical side of the powertrain will use 900-volt technology, which will enable quick charge times when using a DC fast-charger.

The gas engine will be used as a generator to charge a battery, which in turn will power the electric motors, a setup known as a series hybrid, and something Lotus calls Ultra-Fast On-The-Drive Charging. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng during an investor call on Thursday said the gas engine will be able to charge the battery faster than the electricity is used in regular driving.

Feng QingfengFeng Qingfeng

Lotus didn’t say when and in what vehicles the Hyper Hybrid EV powertrain will be launched. The automaker also didn’t say what gas engine it will use, but one of the hybrid-optimized engines from parent company Geely’s new Horse Powertrain engine supplier is likely.

Lotus originally planned for its Emira to be its final car with a gas engine, but like other automakers, including fellow Geely-owned brand Volvo, Lotus is finding that growth in demand for EVs is a lot slower than anticipated. Lotus said the launch of a hybrid powertrain will help it keep up with evolving market demands.

Lotus EmiraLotus Emira

A hybrid powertrain will also enable Lotus to avoid tariffs aimed at its Chinese-built EVs. For example, the European Union’s tariff rules exempt plug-in hybrid vehicles.

In addition to the Emira, Lotus offers the Evija, Eletre, and Emeya EVs. Its sales have been steadily growing over the course of the year, with deliveries for the first nine months of 2024 coming in at more than 7,600 units, up 136% versus the same period a year ago. Revenues also doubled to $653 million. Lotus still reported an operating loss of $598 million, though, up 18% from a year ago.

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