One of Britain’s most famous sports car manufacturers has set a world record for the fastest-charging electric vehicle.
Lotus has confirmed that its Emeya model has smashed its own record as one of the fastest-charging electric cars using the public charging network.
A Lotus Emeya was charged using an ultra-fast 450kW DC charger, and achieved a peak charging power of 443kW, making it one of the most powerful in the world.
The test, which was completed by Lotus Al Ghanim, the brand’s official dealer in Kuwait, saw the Emeya charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 13 minutes and 35 seconds.
This was done against challenging conditions, including extremely hot temperatures, with Lotus highlighting the efficiency of the car and charger.
The Emeya contains a cell-to-pack battery structure, allowing 20 per cent more cells to be packaged in the same space compared to a standard architecture.
Owners of the luxury sports car will also benefit from a new cooling system that improves the thermal performance and efficiency of the battery.
The hyper-GT Emeya is the Norfolk-based brand’s first electric vehicle, with Lotus describing it as a “new benchmark for how a Lotus drives”.
The Lotus Emeya broke records for its impressive charging speeds
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By reducing the WLTC energy consumption to just 18.7kWh per 100km, the Emeya delivers up to 310km of range in just 10 minutes.
The Emeya 600 starts from £84,990, has a top speed of 155mph, and accelerates from 0-62mph in just 4.15 seconds.
Drivers will benefit from a maximum driving range of 379 miles and maximum power of 450kW, although this can be hiked to 675kW with the 900 Sport variant.
It will also come equipped with the Lotus HyperOS infotainment system, which uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers find nearby chargers.
The Emeya charged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 13 minutes and 35 seconds
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Lotus announced in 2023 the launch of its charging solutions, including the ultra-fast 450kW DC charger, alongside a power cabinet and modular unit.
The modular unit allows for up to four vehicles to be charged at once using an innovative “Liquid-Cooled Charging Cabinet”.
The Lotus Eletre R can add up to 88.5 miles of range in just five minutes of charge, while the sports car can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes.
Mike Johnstone, CCO at Lotus Group, explained that Lotus had been developing the technology for six years to make it easier for drivers to own an electric car.
The record was broken in Kuwait
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The chargers were first deployed in China, before rolling out across “a majority of European countries” and the Middle East.
Lotus confirmed that its ultra-fast 450kW DC chargers were being rolled out in Europe, with German drivers benefitting first.
Commenting on the development, Alan Wang, VP of Lotus Technology, said: “As more governments are increasing investment into electrification in their journey to net zero, the demand for a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure has never been higher than before.
“Lotus has developed best-in-class fast charging solutions to deliver a quick and reliable charging experience to meet customer needs.”