Lotus Changes Gears with Hybrid Comeback

Change of Heart: From EVs to Hybrids

At the end of 2024, Lotus stepped back from its headline-grabbing plan to become an EV-only brand. After years of EV-centric messaging, the British sports car maker admitted what many others in the industry are also starting to face: demand for premium electric vehicles isn’t as strong or consistent as initially hoped.

In response, Lotus is now taking a more flexible approach to electrification, revisiting hybrid technology as a core part of its future. CEO Feng Qingfeng confirmed during the company’s Q1 earnings call that Lotus is “investigating the feasibility” of sports cars using a new “Hyper Hybrid” plug-in system. The Emira’s hybrid future is also taking shape, with more insights about its future electrified heart.

Of note, sales for Lotus dropped 42% in the first quarter of 2025, down to just 1,274 cars globally. This is due to various factors, including weak demand for EVs and the U.S. tariffs. With these predicaments, the pivot is less about abandoning electrification entirely and more about reshaping it to suit current market conditions.

Hyper-Hybrid Eletre in the Works

According to Feng, the Hyper Hybrid powertrain features a 900V battery system with front and rear electric motors, capable of fast-charging from 10-80% in 12 minutes. It offers up to 186 miles of EV-only range and a total range exceeding 620 miles. Crucially, it qualifies as a true plug-in hybrid, not a range-extender – the engine powers the wheels directly.

Autocar reports that the first production model to carry Lotus’ new Hyper Hybrid system will be a variant of the Eletre SUV. Feng said it will debut in late 2025, with deliveries scheduled for Q1 2026. The combustion engine won’t be the familiar Toyota V6 or AMG 2.0L turbo currently used in the Emira, though Lotus hasn’t confirmed what will replace them.

Electrified Emira to Ignite Demand

As for the Emira, it remains the backbone of the brand, accounting for more than 5,000 of Lotus’ 12,000 global sales last year. It recently received an update for the 2026 model year, reflecting the automaker’s focus on its main mover. Speaking to Auto Express, Lotus Europe CEO Matt Windle hinted at hybrid plans for the mid-engined coupe. Packaging will be important, though, considering the Emira’s relatively compact size, expect a system similar in layout to the Ferrari 296 GTB or McLaren Artura.

We’ve known that a V8-powered Emira is likely happening to replace the aging Toyota V6 once emissions rules tighten, though it’s unclear whether this monster of a power plant will be used for the hybrid setup.

The timeline for the Emira is still unclear at this point, but given Lotus’ recent lackluster sales, the automaker needs to move quickly. It will also help if it resolves its current issues with tariffs, considering that America represents a substantial chunk of its sales.