Sportscar maker Lotus has just announced its intention to get into the electric car arena. They already make the bodies for the Tesla Roadster, which are based on the Lotus Elise.
Lotus’ CEO Michael Kimberley said “Don’t be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly, we are working on the technologies that will go behind it.”
Unlike the Tesla Roadster, and of particular note to us, Lotus plans to make the car an extended-range electric vehicle just like the Volt.
The vehicle is expected to get 300 to 400 miles of range, and may be revealed at the Geneva Auto Show in March.
One more example of the merits of the E-Flex design, imitation being the greatest form of flattery. Although don’t expect high volumes and low prices from Lotus.
Source (Financial Times)
On a related note, Toyota is reported to secretly be working on a solar-powered car. According to the Nikkei, Toyota is working on a car that will get some of its power from solar roof cells, and the rest from the solar cells on the roof of an owners home. The next generation of the vehicle has the goal of obtaining all of its power from its own roof cells.
For now we’ll have to settle for a trickle charge from optional Volt or Prius roof solar panels, both of which may be making their world debuts at the Detroit Auto Show in one week.
