At the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, Lotus released the world’s first mass-produced “flash charging robot” independently developed by it.
Lotus demonstrated its pure electric supercar SUV Eletre and its supporting robot charging system at the Shanghai Auto Show. The charging system is said to deliver up to 500 kilowatts of power, making it one of the most powerful fast-charging devices currently on the market. Moreover, this charging system also has the characteristics of automation and intelligence. The charging head can be inserted into the charging port of the car through the robot arm without manual operation. It is reported that this charging system can also move on the track on the ground to adapt to the location of the charging port and parking situation of different cars.
Eletre is Lotus’s first electric SUV and an important product for its entry into the Chinese market. Eletre’s maximum charging power can reach 420 kilowatts, which is much higher than most electric vehicles currently on the market. Lotus Eletre is equipped with a high-power and high-torque electric motor code-named EDS2, which is arranged at the front and rear of the body and can provide a maximum power of more than 600 horsepower. The vehicle is equipped with a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle motor and adopts an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system. Lotus claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 2.95 seconds and a 0-200km/h acceleration time of less than 12 seconds. The battery capacity of the vehicle exceeds 100kWh, and it only takes 20 minutes to recharge under the 350kW charging condition to drive 400 kilometers (248 miles). According to the global unified light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) standard, the maximum cruising range of Eletre can reach 600 kilometers (373 miles) mile). Eletre is also compatible with 22kW AC charging. According to Lotus official website, Eletre will be launched in China in 2023.
Lotus said it would initially roll out 50 units of the flash charging robot system in China for use with all-electric vehicles, but it has not yet said whether the system will be available in other regions.
