Lotus Creates Hybrid R&D Center

Published February 22, 2008

The goals of high performance and greater fuel efficiency were further melded this week when Lotus—the British maker of race cars—created a new research and development group solely devoted to electric and hybrid vehicles.

"We have an intensely proactive growth plan over the next five years," said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus. “Indeed, Lotus will reinforce its position as a world leader in green transport engineering."

At last year’s Geneva Auto Show, Lotus showed off its so-called EVE (Efficient, Viable, Environmental) hybrid technology, and more recently presented results from its “Low CO2 Project,” a collaboration with the Continental. These efforts provide evidence that the company is committed to cost-effective environmental technologies. The use of lightweight materials and enhanced aerodynamics are built into Lotus’s DNA. Lotus’s engineering division works with many major carmakers on environmentally friendly technologies—and the company provides the platform for the all-electric Tesla Roadster.

Phil Barker was appointed as Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies. The former design and engineering consultant will have full responsibility over research and development at the newly formed center. “We already have an incredibly strong team of engineers working in this area,” said Barker. “The formalization of this group further enhances our ability to provide both low CO2 and zero emissions vehicle solutions to our clients."

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