Lotus has a vision of becoming an all-electric brand by 2028, and it is pursuing this goal by launching a range of products from hyper-SUVs to hyper-e-bikes. But it also has another ambitious plan: to introduce its own electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, including an ultra-fast 450 kW DC charger, power cabinet, and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once.
Charging anxiety continues to be a major obstacle in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. According to a survey conducted by the Energy Policy Institute, almost 80% of the public cited the lack of charging infrastructure as a primary reason for not purchasing an EV. Lotus aims to address this issue by offering reliable and convenient charging capabilities that can provide confidence to EV drivers wherever they are driving.
“As more governments are increasing investment into electrification in their journey to net-zero, the demand for a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure has never been higher than before,” said Alan Wang, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and CEO at Lotus Flash Charge. “Lotus has developed best-in-class fast charging solutions to deliver a quick and reliable charging experience to meet customer needs.”
Lotus is making it easier and quicker for EV drivers to charge their vehicles by using liquid-cooled technologies in their suite of commercial charging solutions. These EV charging solutions include a Liquid-Cooled All-in-One DC Charger, which can offer ultra-fast charging of up to 450 kW. With the Lotus Eletre R, for instance, up to 88.5 miles (142 km) of range can be achieved in just 5 minutes of charging. Moreover, a 10% to 80% charge can be obtained in only 20 minutes with a range extension of 74 miles (120 km) from a 5-minute charge when using a 350 kW Rapid Charger.
In addition to the all-in-one, Lotus is also showing Liquid-Cooled Power Cabinet, a modular power cabinet that is suited for spaces that require high energy in order to increase efficiency and minimize charging time, such as motorway rest stops. It is optimized for high-energy delivery and offers market-leading power output capabilities of up to 480 kW.
Also, a modular Liquid-Cooled Charging Unit can charge up to four vehicles at once and has a maximum current output of 600 Amp.
Lotus’ Flash Charge units are already in operation in China and are being showcased at the London EV Show this week. They have a modular design that allows them to deliver up to 450 kW of power, making them future-ready for when the grid and the vehicles can support such high speeds.
Currently, most electric vehicles on the market cannot handle more than 350 kW of charging power, including Lotus’ own models. Lotus’ Flash Charge units are designed to provide fast and convenient charging for Lotus customers and other EV drivers while remaining ready for 450-kW charging without any added hardware cost for operators.
Lotus’ fast-charging solutions have already been deployed in China and are expected to be introduced in most European countries and the Middle East in Q2 2024. Further market availability will be announced in due course.
“Over the past six years, Lotus has been investing in the technology and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to electrification. We want to make it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle, and with our latest offerings, Lotus is able to provide customers with the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging,” Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said in a statement.
