Lotus Electric Sports Car in the Works

Lotius Elise

Tesla roadster to meet its match

By Michael Gauthier
January 2, 2009 6:51 PM
Filed Under: Electric Vehicle, European, Lotus

After providing their design and chassis expertise for the Tesla Roadster and the Europa based Dodge EV Concept, Lotus no longer seems content with making electric vehicles with other automakers, so the company has announced plans to produce their own electric vehicle (EV).

According to Lotus chief executive, Michael Kimberley, the company is currently working on the technologies needed to produce the new electric sports car and he hinted that it could appear soon. Unlike the Tesla which is based off the Elise, Lotus plans to build their EV with a small gasoline engine that will turn on to recharge the batteries. The model would be capable of achieving 300 to 400 miles per tank of gas, however Kimberley declined to say what size fuel tank the car would feature which makes fuel economy estimates anyone's guess.

The announcement comes on the heels of the company's recent commitment to invest £60 million into developing new technology and vehicles that will offer reduced emissions. Lotus has shown a strong interest in expanding their limited product range as of late, this year the company will launch the four-seat Evora and plans to introduce the new Esprit and a replacement for the Elise soon.

A concept version of the Lotus EV could appear as soon as the Geneva auto show in March but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

 

Source: Financial Times

Comments

speed_freak
January 2, 2009 8:01 PM
Jeremy Clarkson, "Where does the power come Boris?" Boris Johnson, "It comes from the plug..." (Audience laughing)

Xanavi23
January 2, 2009 8:37 PM
I'ld prefer a Lotus electric vehicle buth truth be told, largely because it is a Lotus.

Tuner_Mad
January 2, 2009 9:12 PM
Lol, if this is cheaper, and more economical, the Telsa is screwed!

GK27V6
January 3, 2009 7:04 AM
Isn't the Tesla based on the Elise?

GK27V6
January 3, 2009 7:04 AM
Nevermind, just read the article, lol.

WildMaverick1200
January 4, 2009 1:01 AM
Well, if it doesn't work with "thousands of laptop batteries" like the Tesla, then it's gonna be a fine car.

_M7_
January 4, 2009 2:24 AM
yeah right...lotus will copy an american car JAJAJAJAJAJAJA ...americans doesent know how to build cars XD

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