Lotus plans their own electric sports car

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Lotus is not new to electric cars. They are currently assembling bodies for the Tesla Roadster(all electric car based on Lotus Elise) at its factory in Norfolk. In addition they have advised Chrysler on their Dodge electric car, that is based on the Lotus Europa.

Technologically speaking this electric sports car will be similar to Chevrolet Volt. It will be equipped with a fuel-based “range extender” to back up its battery. Performance wise it will probably be similar to Tesla Roadster.

“Don’t be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly,” Michael Kimberley, chief executive, told the FT. “We are working on the technologies that will go behind it.”

The car’s range extender would allow it to drive 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of petrol, Mr Kimberley said. It “will become one of the showcases for the world of what you can do with electric vehicle technology”.

Lotus might show the concept already at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Perhaps Lotus can do it better with their electric sports car than Tesla.

Tesla still has problems getting the production going and has delivered around 100 cars(there are over thousand cars in order).

This year Lotus will invest £60m to develop lower-emission technologies like electric cars and biofuels. Also the company will launch a four-seat Evora in the first half of the year.

Source: FT