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Lotus Reveals Eletre 'For Me' Plug-In Hybrid In China After EV-Only Reversal

The move reflects a retreat from Lotus’s EV-only plan following weak sales and steep losses.

Overview

  • The Eletre-based For Me pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four (279 hp) with electric drive for about 952 hp, delivering a claimed 0–62 mph in 3.3 seconds.
  • Lotus fits a 70 kWh CATL battery and a 900-volt system, with a quoted CLTC electric-only range near 220 miles and company-cited ultra-fast charging.
  • Lotus says 10–80% charging takes about ten minutes, while related Zeekr 9X data points to roughly eight minutes for a partial top-up under similar hardware.
  • China sales start in early 2026, with European launch targeted for the second half of 2026; Australia timing is unconfirmed.
  • The hybrid program follows a sales slump to 4,612 vehicles through September and a $357 million operating loss, with Lotus aiming to reach markets where EV uptake is slower.