The upcoming plug-in hybrid version of the Lotus Eletre crossover is shaping up to be a highly capable model, offering an electric-only driving range of up to 355 kilometers. This impressive figure comes from its use of a 70-kWh ternary NMC battery pack. Lotus plans to introduce this PHEV under a unique market name—For Me—when it enters the Chinese market during the first quarter of next year. The vehicle is expected to share its powertrain architecture with the Zeekr 9X, another large SUV from the Geely Group. This arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Lotus, as the company recently revealed a strategic pivot toward plug-in hybrids after experiencing a 40% drop in deliveries between January and September 2025 compared to the previous year. The Eletre PHEV, sold under the For Me name, will be the brand’s first model to embody this new direction. The recently released energy-saving and tax-reduction catalog in China has also provided fresh details about its battery system.
The Lotus Eletre PHEV uses a 70-kWh NMC battery developed by the CATL–Geely joint venture, weighing 408 kilograms. This is the same high-performance pack found in the higher-spec versions of the Zeekr 9X. One of the standout capabilities of this battery is its support for ultra-fast 6C charging via a 900-volt high-voltage setup. Thanks to this system, the battery can be recharged from 20% to 80% in just 8 minutes and 21 seconds—remarkably fast for a plug-in hybrid SUV of this size. Depending on the configuration, the Lotus For Me has a curb weight ranging from 2,575 to 2,625 kilograms, while gross vehicle weight is rated between 3,055 and 3,080 kilograms. Because of mass differences between trims, the CLTC electric range varies slightly, falling between 345 and 355 kilometers. In hybrid mode, the vehicle is extremely efficient, consuming only 0.06–0.07 liters per 100 kilometers according to WLTC testing. When the battery is depleted, fuel consumption rises to 5.98–6.10 liters per 100 kilometers.
Earlier disclosures confirmed that the Eletre PHEV will use the 2.0-liter DHE20-PFZ turbocharged engine, producing 275 horsepower. This engine can drive the wheels directly or operate as a generator, recharging the battery from 30% to 80% within 90 minutes—still possible even while maintaining highway speeds of 120 km/h. The For Me version is expected to adopt the same triple-motor setup used in the Zeekr 9X Hyper. That system delivers a staggering total output of 1,381 horsepower, enabling the plug-in hybrid Eletre to launch from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. Its maximum speed is 230 km/h, and it offers a towing capability of up to 2,275 kilograms.
Visually, the For Me variant closely follows the fully electric Eletre. It incorporates active aerodynamic components, such as a rear spoiler capable of generating 90 kilograms of downforce, and maintains a low drag coefficient of 0.26. The SUV measures 5,103 mm in length, 2,019 mm in width, and 1,636 mm in height, with a long 3,019-mm wheelbase. It also features a retractable LiDAR system and staggered tires for enhanced stability and performance.
Lotus plans to unveil the For Me in China in January 2026, with sales beginning shortly afterward. The plug-in hybrid Eletre will then expand into the European market in the first half of 2026. Lotus CEO Feng Qifeng has previously stated that the brand intends to fully transition toward PHEVs by 2028, suggesting that every Lotus model will have a plug-in hybrid variant by that time.