Lotus Elettre price doubles to $229,900

Those considering the Lotus Elettre should be prepared for a heaping helping of sticker shock.

The electric mid-size SUV is available for reservation for U.S. buyers at a starting price of $229,900, up from $107,000 just announced last spring.

However, the previous starting price was for the regular Elektre, while the new starting price is for the Elektre Carbon, the only model currently available for reservation in the US.

Still a premium of $84,900, but this is almost certainly the result of the 100% tariff that the US introduced in May on Chinese-made EVs. Lotus is best known for building sports cars in Hethel, England, but its new “lifestyle” cars, such as the Elettre and the recently unveiled Emeya sedan, are built in Wuhan, China.

The Chinese-made Volvo EX30 is also affected by the tariffs. Volvo has postponed its U.S. launch until production of the electric subcompact crossover begins in Belgium.

To justify the higher price of the Elettair, Lotus has made many premium features standard on the Carbon model. The model, which is only available in the U.S. and Canada, comes standard with Bridge of Weir leather trim, heated front seats with adjustable lumbar support and memory function, an Alcantara-lined steering wheel, a free optional electrochromic glass roof and more are standard equipment.

The name Carbon comes from the carbon fiber accents on the exterior and cabin. The Elektro Carbon will also feature a carbon-inspired satin-finish paint job in Stardust Black.

Performance is also adequate. Like the previously announced Eleuthero R, the Eleuthero Carbon is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a two-speed transmission and delivers 905 hp. 0-62 mph time is 2.95 seconds and top speed is claimed to be 165 mph.

A regular 603 hp Elettre is also likely to be launched later.

The battery in all Elettres is a 111.9 kwh unit that, according to Lotus, can be charged to 10-80% in 20 minutes when using a DC fast charger capable of 350 kwh charging. Lotus gives a maximum range of 304 miles for the Eleator R in other markets, calculated using the WLTP test cycle used overseas, and the same for the Carbon. Lower numbers are expected when measured using the more rigorous EPA cycle.

U.S. deliveries of Elektre Carbon are currently scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025.