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EVO Technology Featured in Lotus Concept Vehicle at Geneva International Motor Show


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Woking, 2 March 2010; EVO Electric Technology Featured in Lotus Engineering's Concept Vehicle at Geneva International Motor Show

EVO Electric, a leader in the design, development, production, and sales of electric drive solutions for the automotive sector, announced today that its advanced Axial Flux motor/generator technology is featured in the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, a concept vehicle unveiled by Lotus Engineering today at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show. The Lotus vehicle features two EVO drive motors, each providing 152 kW (207 PS/204 hp) of power and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque, and a unique 35kW range extender system featuring EVO's electric generator technology.

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid was developed by Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, with support from EVO and other partners. The vehicle combines the benefits of electric vehicles, such as high efficiency and low running costs, with the long driving range from a conventionally fuelled internal-combustion engine. For example, the Evora 414E Hybrid's battery system can be recharged via an AC mains domestic outlet and has enough energy storage capacity to cover up to 35 miles, i.e. ideal for daily journeys such as commutes. When batteries are depleted, e.g. during inter-urban journeys, the range extender activates in to recharge the batteries and thus provide the flexibility and functionality of a standard internal-combustion engine vehicle. What is more, this powertrain concept is expected to have a lower overall CO2 footprint than a fully electric car of comparable performance and operating range due to the reduced battery capacity requirements.

Lotus Engineering selected EVO Electric's Axial Flux motor/generator technology, which offers unparalled performance in terms of power, torque, weight, size, efficiency, reliability and durability. EVO's technology has helped Lotus optimise fuel economy and vehicle performance.

"We are proud that our technology has been selected for the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid", commented David Latimer, CEO of EVO Electric. "Projects such as this accelerate the global trend toward electric mobility".

Michael Lampérth, CTO and co-founder of EVO, commented that "EVO's technology, though applicable to a wide range of hybrid and electric vehicles, is particularly appropriate for range extenders due to the very tight space and weight requirements of this application. For instance, the high power and torque density of EVO's Axial Flux motors and generators makes it easier to package and integrate range extenders into vehicles, and contributes to optimising fuel economy. "

About EVO Electric

EVO Electric Limited (www.evo-electric.com) develops and manufactures advanced electric machines, drive systems and other integrated products for a wide range of transportation and mobile power applications. Our core competence is the development, design and integration of high torque electric motors and generators based on Axial Flux technology, an ultra efficient, low weight alternative to conventional radial flux machines. Axial Flux motors and generators are particularly relevant to hybrid and electric vehicle applications, enabling automotive OEMs and systems integrators to cut the cost, weight, size, complexity and power requirements of electric powertrains.

EVO, a spinout company from Imperial College London, is backed by Imperial Innovations plc (AIM: IVO) which creates, builds and invests in pioneering technologies. Imperial Innovations supports scientist-entrepreneurs in the commercialisation of their ideas and has exclusive access to scientific and technological developments coming out of Imperial College London, one of the world's leading research institutions.

About Lotus

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Limited, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide market and customer requirements to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacturing. Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, Exige, Europa and Lotus' latest model, the Evora. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.