The Lotus Eletre PHEV crossover will offer up to 355 km of electric range, thanks to a ternary NMC battery for 70 kWh. This model will enter the Chinese market with a quirky For Me name in the first quarter next year. The new model will likely adopt the powertrain of the Zeekr 9X SUV.
Lotus recently announced a strategic shift towards plug-in hybrid cars as its deliveries from January to September 2025 slid by 40% Year-Over-Year. The Lotus Eletre will become the first model in this PHEV line. It applied for a sales license in China under the For Me name. The new catalog of energy-saving and vessel tax reduction revealed information about this PHEV’s battery.
Lotus Eletre PHEV battery pack
The Lotus Eletre PHEV (For Me) adopts a 70 kWh ternary NMC battery made by the CATL-Geely joint venture. Its weight reaches 408 kg. The same battery pack powers upper trim levels of the previously launched Zeekr 9X SUV from the Geely Group. This pack supports the 6C charging, thanks to the high-voltage 900V system. It allows charging the battery from 20 to 80% in 8 minutes and 21 seconds.
The Lotus For Me’s curb weight lies in the 2,575 – 2,625 kg, depending on the trim. The gross weight is 3,055 – 3,080 kg. The electric range depends on the mass and is 345 – 355 km under CLTC conditions. In PHEV mode, the Lotus For Me consumes 0.06 – 0.07 liters per 100 km under WLTC conditions. With a drained battery, its fuel consumption increases to 5.98 – 6.10 liters per 100 km.
It was previously disclosed that the Lotus Eletre adopts the 2-liter turbocharged DHE20-PFZ engine for 205 kW (275 hp). It can send power directly to the wheels. Moreover, this ICE can act as a generator, charging the battery from 30 to 80% in 90 minutes, even while driving on highways at a speed of 120 km/h.
The Lotus For Me will likely adopt the same electric motor layout as the Zeekr 9X Hyper. This full-size SUV has three e-motors with a combined power output of 1,030 kW (1,381 hp). This powertrain will allow the Lotus plug-in hybrid SUV to speed up to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds. The top speed reaches 230 km/h. It can also tow up to 2,275 kg.
More about the Lotus Eletre PHEV
The Lotus For Me aligns with the BEV variant in terms of exterior styling. It features active aerodynamic elements, including a rear spoiler capable of generating 90 kg of downforce and a minimum drag coefficient of 0.26. Its dimensions are 5103/2019/1636 mm with a wheelbase of 3,019 mm. The For Me adopts a retractable LiDAR system and staggered tires.
The Lotus For Me will debut in China in January 2026. In Q1 next year, it will start sales in the Middle Kingdom. In H1 2026, the plug-in hybrid Lotus Eletre will launch in Europe. Previously, Lotus CEO Feng Qifeng shared that the brand with British heritage will complete its transformation towards PHEV by 2028. This probably means that by this time, all the Lotus-branded vehicles will have PHEV variants.
