How can this Lotus charge so quickly?

Lotus had previously announced impressive charging times for its Supercar Emeya. The confirmation has now arrived.

From an anachronistic status, Lotus has leaped into the future in just one year with the development of two electric cars: the large SUV, the Eletre, and a high-performance sedan, the Emeya. We will stop crying sacrilege, as the founder of Lotus, Colin Chapman, passed away in December 1982, almost 42 years ago. The automotive company he created survives him and must evolve if it wants to endure. Moreover, its commercial performances are unprecedented.

The Emeya is a “low-to-the-ground” version of the Eletre, as evidenced by surprisingly similar dimensions and technical specifications. To compete with the designated target, the Porsche Taycan, power and torque rise to 905 horsepower (675 kW) and 985 Nm with remarkable performance: 0 to 100 km/h in 2.78 seconds and a top speed of 256 km/h.

The charging speed of the 102 kWh battery was elevated to performance status during the car’s presentation in September 2023, with an accepted rate of up to 350 kW. At that time, even if we are only talking about a few months, one still needed to find such an efficient charging station. Today, you can find them not only at all motorway service areas but even in the city! Lotus then announced a charging level from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes.

Lotus surpasses expectations

Here we are 9 months later, and the Emeya has achieved a record charging time on June 10 under the control of an independent British organization, using the public charging network. The car can recharge from 10 to 80% in 14 minutes, using a fast DC charger of 400 kW (600 A). A remarkable feat as it outperformed benchmarks such as the Mercedes EQS, BMW i7, Tesla Model Y, Genesis G80, Xpeng G9, Kia EVP, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nio ET5, and BYD Atto 3.

How could a manufacturer known for its thermal engine marvels like the Elite and Elan series become a reference in the new electric world? Lotus has since been acquired by the Chinese giant Geely, which brought its “Cell to Pack” battery technology, allowing for 20% more cells to fit in the same space compared to a standard architecture. The Emeya also utilizes an optimized cooling system to enhance thermal performance and battery efficiency.

Colin Chapman would certainly not have appreciated the weight of the new electric vehicles, being an advocate of “Light is Right,” or the praise of lightness in its noblest form. However, all these technological innovations would certainly not have displeased this visionary engineer.