Five years ago, Lotus vowed to go fully electric, rolling out a host of battery-powered models like the Eletre, Emeya, and Evija. Yet, like several other automakers now revisiting the middle ground, it seems the British brand can’t entirely turn its back on hybrids.

Read: Lotus Hyper Hybrid Can Run 100% On ICE-Power

The first compromise looks set to arrive in the form of a plug-in hybrid Eletre, blending the company’s electric ambitions with a dose of combustion practicality. About a year ago, Lotus offered a glimpse of its newly developed hybrid system but has since kept the details close to its chest. That quiet stretch appears ready to end.

Hybrid Plans Take Shape

During the company’s most recent earnings call, chief executive Feng Qingfeng confirmed that Lotus’s first plug-in hybrid will pack 912 hp. The model will reach Chinese showrooms in the first quarter of 2026, with European deliveries following later that year.

The company has so far committed to launching three PHEVs. If the first of these is a new version of the Eletre, the second may be a hybrid version of the Emeya sedan.

As for the third model, Lotus has confirmed it will be a smaller SUV, slotting below the Eletre. This model will be launched in 2027 and is currently known as the Vision X.

Inside the Hyper Hybrid

Lotus has named its new powertrain the ‘Hyper Hybrid,’ built around a 900-volt electrical platform designed for ultra-fast charging. The system allows the battery to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just ten minutes when connected to suitable infrastructure.

The company also notes that the combustion engine will serve as a generator for “on-the-drive” charging, replenishing the battery while the car is in motion.

Lotus has not provided any details about the combustion engine it will use. That said, it’s a safe bet that it will be a turbocharged four-cylinder, as reported by Autocar.

Expanding The Range

Feng explained that adding hybrid models broadens the company’s reach, particularly in regions where full EV adoption has been slower.

“The introduction of hybrid models offers more choice for luxury vehicle buyers and will help us expand into broader markets, including regions with slower EV adoption, such as Italy and Spain and Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Review: We Drove Lotus’ Electric SUV To See If It Can Silence Its Haters

In addition to offering performance comparable to its all-electric models, the PHEVs from Lotus will boast far greater driving ranges. Whereas the electric Eletre has a range of between 254 and 373 miles (409 – 600 km), models equipped with the Hyper Hybrid system will be able to travel up to 684 miles (1,100 km) between stops.

Sources: Lotus, Autocar