Lotus for Hybrid and Electric Cars

Lotus has announced that they has created a new group for research and development which will be focused solely on electric and hybrid vehicles. The introduction of the group shows Lotuss interest in the increasing importance of hybrid and electric cars.

The research and development group will be led by Phil Barker. Phil Barker is an Executive Engineer working on hybrid and electric vehicles, who has been with Lotus since 2003.

CEO, Mike Kimberley said that the new team will support the companys strong global growth on ecological technologies, and he is very pleased with the formation of the new team.

We have an intensely proactive growth plan over the next five years and we are already seeing substantial increases in third party client work for our global client base, of which considerable research and development into hybrid and electric vehicles is a major part, said Kimberley.

Press Release

Lotus Announces Introduction of Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Group

Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, has created a new research and development group solely for electric and hybrid vehicles. The formation of this group recognizes the increasing global importance of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the increasing amount of consultancy project work in this area that is being undertaken by Lotus Engineering.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc, said, I am pleased to confirm the formalization of this existing team, which will support our strong global growth on ecological technologies. We have an intensely proactive growth plan over the next five years and we are already seeing substantial increases in third party client work for our global client base, of which considerable research and development into hybrid and electric vehicles is a major part. Indeed over the next five years, Lotus will further reinforce its position as a world leader in green transport engineering.

Phil Barker has been appointed as Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies and will report to Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain. Geraint is delighted with the groups formation: We are committed to driving forward with green technology for both Lotus Cars and our Engineering clients. We have made significant developments over 20 years in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies with recent examples being the Lotus EVE (Efficient, Viable, Environmental) hybrid technology demonstrator and the Low CO2 project undertaken in collaboration with Continental Division Powertrain.

Phil will have full responsibility for research and development of hybrid and electric vehicles within Lotus Engineering and is relishing the challenge: This is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue the already ground-breaking and successful work conducted on hybrid and electric vehicles by Lotus Engineering. We already have an incredibly strong team of engineers working in this area and the formalization of this group further enhances our ability to provide both Low CO2 and zero emissions vehicle solutions to our clients.