Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT Saloon
Lotus Cars Limited, is a UK based automotive manufacturer, famed for its iconic sports cars and participation in Formula One. The automotive manufacturer has witnessed a number of changes to its ownership since the founding of Lotus Engineering Limited in 1952, by Colin Chapman and Colin Dare.
The company is currently owned by the Chinese automotive manufacturer, Geely, headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Geely also owns the automotive brands Volvo Cars and Polestar. Previously, Lotus was owned by General Motors. The company has the following electric vehicles (EVs):
- All-electric Lotus Evija (BEV)
- All-electric Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV (BEV)
- All-electric Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT (BEV)
Lotus continues its acceleration towards a comprehensive portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The latest addition, the all-electric Emeya, its first all-electric Hyper-GT (saloon), is certainly well positioned to compete in the high-performance premium EV segment.
Lotus has clearly leveraged the experience from the development of the pure electric Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV, in the development of the four-door Emeya Hyper-GT (Grand Tourer). The Emeya was unveiled in New York in September 2023. Earlier in August 2023, the company had confirmed that the production of the Type 133 will be called Emeya.
Similar to the Lotus Eletre, the sportier Emeya e-saloon delivers 0-100 km/h in under 3 seconds (2.78 seconds to be precise!). All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard with Lotus ICC intelligent torque distribution, with motors place in the front and rear (same motors as Eletre). The EV delivers a maximum power up to 905 hp/ 985 Nm torque. The top speed is 256 km/h. The Emeya is certainly one of the fastest four-door saloon cars in the world, also gaining from one of the advantages of driving electric cars i.e. instant torque!
By way of comparison, the all-electric Porsche Taycan can achieve 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and the all-electric Tesla Roadster can achieve 0-100 km/h 1.9 seconds. Though the Emeya does not compete head-on with the Roadster, it certainly will do with the Taycan.
The Emeya has a 102 kWh (800V architecture) high-voltage onboard EV battery. Though Lotus is yet to confirm the technical specifications for the Emeya, the manufacturer suggests the electric range as being ‘broadly similar’ to the Eletre. Therefore, we an expect a range between 500 – 600 km on a full battery charge. We suspect closer to 500 km!
The EV battery is placed on the floor of the vehicle, as is the case with most EVs. This results in a lower centre of gravity for the vehicle (better handling) and also creates more interior space. The EV battery has a 50/50 weight distribution.
Like its sibling, the Emeya incorporates ultra-rapid DC charging capability up to 350 kW DC. The EV can be charged 10%-80% in 18 minutes. Put another way, the EV can add 150 km e-range in a mere five minutes! We can expect the Emeya to offer a 22 kW three-phase onboard AC charger as standard. Perfect for those EV owners with access to 3-phase EV charging at home or the workplace. Do keep in mind that most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply. Interestingly, the EV has a motorised chargeport cover. Nice!
In terms of the interior, Lotus claims to be the first automotive manufacturer to use an ‘advanced new luxury thread that repurposes cotton scraps from the fashion and garment industries’. This may be the case, but Lotus is not the only automotive OEM keen to use sustainable materials for the production of an electric vehicle (EV). Most global automotive manufacturers are following a similar approach. It is now becoming quite common for most electric vehicle (EV) manufactures to use up to 20% of recycled materials for production. In fact, the young all-electric brand, Fisker, is on a mission to create the ‘most sustainable vehicles on Earth’.
Lotus also claims that the advanced fibre helps in reducing the weight of the EV, compared to using traditional materials like leather. To further reduce the weight of the Emeya, Lotus has also incorporated carbon-fibre in the EV (seats etc), and claims the electric car has a class leading ‘power-to-weight’ ratio.
The EV also offers ample storage compartments in the interior to add to the practicality of the EV. A five-seat configuration is standard, however, buyers can opt to choose a four-seat configuration. As expected, there is commonality in the interior design between the Emeya and Eletre.
To further increase the performance of the e-vehicle via more efficient aerodynamics, the Emeya incorporates the following: active rear diffuser, active rear spoiler, active front grille, active air dam, flush door handles and eight ‘real’ vents. Apart from reducing the drag, the active rear spoiler (296mm wide) also improves vehicle handling at higher speeds (215kg net downforce).
As can be expected from a premium electric car, the Emeya is packed with technology and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS): obstacle warnings, lane departure, forward collision alerts, blind-spot monitoring. It is interesting to note that Lotus offers a whopping 55″ augmented reality head-up display (HUD). The EV is also equipped for full autonomous driving, and includes, a LIDAR system that scans 200m in every direction (similar to the Eletre).
In terms of the exterior, there is no doubt that the coupé like sportier exterior styling is appealing. Of course, the sleek silhouette not only increases the appeal of the electric car, it also improves the efficiency (drag coefficient) of the electric vehicle. The Emeya does have commonality in design language with the taller Eletre SUV. According to Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group: “Bringing together our rich heritage with intelligent performance and the latest cutting-edge technologies, we’re pushing the boundaries for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle–making it truly for the drivers”.
Production is expected to commence in 2024 in Wuhan, China, with deliveries also slated for 2024 in key international markets. The Wuhan factory is owned by Geely Holdings Group. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but Lotus suggests prices will be similar to the Eletre. Bottom-line, expect it to be closer to the €100,000 mark! The EV can be reserved with a €1,000 deposit.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Ultra-high-performance all-electric saloon (AWD as standard) | Cheaper options available |
| Attractive exterior appeal and technology-filled | Available in only one EV battery option |
| 350 kW ultra-rapid DC charging and good-sized onboard EV battery | Sloping roofline impacts headroom for taller adults |
Gallery
The All-Electric Lotus Emeya Hyper-GT Saloon (credit: Lotus)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | Saloon |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| Lotus Emeya (from € N/A) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 102 kWh |
| Charging: | 350 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 18 mins). Onboard AC charger: 22 kW AC (0%-100%: N/A hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 200,000 km (70% or above) |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity: 12.4 kWh | € 4.25 |
| Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 5.73 |
| Battery net capacity: 26.6 kWh | € 9.12 |
| Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 10.29 |
| Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 13.44 |
| Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 15.43 |
| Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 17.15 |
| Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 21.95 |
| Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 24.35 |
| Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 26.40 |
| Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 30.86 |
| Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 34.29 |
| Battery net capacity: 112.0 kWh | € 38.40 |
| Battery net capacity: 120.0 kWh | € 41.15 |
| Battery net capacity: 130.0 kWh | € 44.58 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 34.29 cents/kWh. Best to charge an EV overnight when the rates are the lowest.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW – 350 kW): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger DC (120 kW – 350 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1459 |
| Width (mm): | 2241 |
| Length (mm): | 5139 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 3069 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.0 |
| Boot Space (L): | N/A |
| Lotus Emeya | (Target data only. To be reconfirmed by OEM) |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 102 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 500 – 600 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/ 100km): | N/A |
| Charging: | 350 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 18 mins). Onboard AC charger: 22 kW AC (0%-100%: N/A hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 256 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 2.78 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 675 |
| Horsepower (hp): | 905 |
| Torque (Nm): | 985 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 4/5 (five-seat standard) |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | N/A |
| Colours: | 5 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Solar And EV Charging: An Overview
The benefits of renewable energy, in particular, solar and wind energy, is already well established in Ireland and in other parts of the world. With the increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) over the past three years, the advantages of using clean and renewable energy has been further enhanced.
Firstly, on-site renewable energy systems can be used for powering, both, business premises and homes. For on-site generation, we have witnessed a significant increase in distributed clean energy generating plants i.e. many commercial buildings and residential buildings have become generators i.e. generating electricity on-site! Solar roof projects have been popular for such on-site generation installations.
The war in Ukraine has further amplified the need to develop energy security, not only at a national level, but also at a local level, to include, businesses and households. Those households and businesses that already generate and consume clean energy on-site have been spared the significant onslaught of energy price rise in 2022 and 2023.
Installing solar panels on-site, mitigates the risks associated with energy price inflation, a significant contributor to costs for a business or a household. On-site renewable energy generation also impacts the environment positively. For those with electric vehicles (EVs), in particular, pure electric vehicles, we strongly encourage the use of renewable energy for EV charging. Of course, we also encourage the use of solar energy for charging a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Apart from the significant cost benefit i.e. generating renewable energy is a nominal cost per kWh (after initial set-up/ installation costs), to achieve true zero-tailpipe emission electric driving, renewable energy needs to be used for EV charging. This is also known as ‘well-to-wheel’. Just one electric car on the road can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.
The good news for electric car owners is that a number of EV charging stations are now compatible with solar/ wind generation and battery storage. The UK based manufacturer myenergi zappi is a good example of a solar/ wind compatible EV charger.
We encourage business and households to adopt an on-site ecosystem of ‘renewable energy-battery storage-EV charging’, to gain the maximum from the advantages of low carbon generation and zero-emission electric driving. Bottom-line, renewable energy is good for the environment and the wallet!
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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