- A new model of integrating connected vehicles, connected
homes and connected customers is being developed
- New, flexible platform designed to power a future digital
mobility lifestyle
- New global sustainability programme targets net zero carbon
across Lotus operations
LONDON, May 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Centrica plc, the
parent company of British Gas, and British motor
manufacturer Lotus are working together to develop a new model
for electric vehicle ownership that fully integrates future
mobility and energy.
By making the car an extension of the home, capable of storing
electricity, minimising emissions and generating new income by
providing services to the energy market, the companies aim to
redefine the customer relationship with cars – one controlled
by smart devices at home and on the move.
The energy company will also facilitate a sustainability program
that leverages innovative, low carbon technologies, and helps
mitigate the environmental impact of everything from manufacturing
through to sales and the day-to-day activities of Lotus employees,
helping meet Lotus' carbon reduction aspirations.
The new partnership will help establish a new global charging
and energy infrastructure for new products as part of Lotus'
journey to net zero carbon following huge investment into the
business since 2018.
Centrica Group CEO Chris
O'Shea, said: "We are committed to helping our
customers and communities achieve net-zero and to do so, we must
enable the change to electric vehicles. We have the technology, the
skills and the scale to do this and our partnership with Lotus is
another step in bringing our commitment to life."
Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham,
said: "Our journey to net-zero carbon is absolutely
lock-in-step with the Vision 80 strategy for Lotus – taking us to
eighty years of the business in 2028. By then we will have
transformed Lotus into a truly global player in the
high-performance high-technology sector with a new range of cars
that remain true to our fundamental promise of always being 'For
The Drivers'. The difference is the energy and infrastructure
that will power and support these products in the future – this new
partnership demonstrates the progress being made and the ambition
of our vision."
Carl Bayliss, Vice President
of Centrica Innovations, said: "Owning an electric vehicle
isn't the same as owning an internal combustion engine car. We see
a future where the customer, car and home are connected, enabling
new services beyond charging the car, and new products and
experiences replacing the unremarkable standard relationship with
energy and the ownership of a car today.
"Lotus is the perfect partner as we embark on this, given the
recognition and appeal of the brand globally and the fact that it
is right at the beginning of its electrification journey."
Uday Senapati, Executive
Director – Corporate Strategy for Lotus added: "Centrica
brings a wealth of energy sector expertise to the table that will
not only help us to determine the right course for our mobility
strategy, but the hands-on capability to ensure that the right
infrastructure is in place globally. The future of mobility is a
huge opportunity for providing value-added services to the consumer
and this platform will put Lotus at the forefront of that digital
mobility ecosystem.
"We have set ambitious targets for decarbonising both our
vehicles and our operations. Given the rate of change required and
the importance of getting it right first time, the support of our
strategic partner Centrica is going to be vital."
Production of the all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar will start
at the company's famous Hethel, Norfolk HQ later in 2020 – marking
the start of Lotus' journey to electrifying its growing range of
vehicles.
Notes to editors
The new strategic partnership sees the two companies embark on a
multi-work-stream strategy together, covering:
- A dedicated Lotus EV Energy strategy
- Charging infrastructure serving Lotus' global network and
customers
- De-carbonisation strategy for Lotus operations globally
- A breakthrough new energy product and platform integrating
connected vehicles, homes and customers to support the growth in
digital mobility lifestyle
About Centrica
Centrica is a leading international energy services and
solutions provider, founded on a 200-year heritage of serving
people. Through our two customer-facing divisions, Centrica
Consumer and Centrica Business, we supply energy, services and
solutions to over 26 million customer accounts. We serve customers
across the UK, Ireland,
North America and Continental
Europe through strong brands such as British Gas, supported by
around 13,000 highly trained engineers and technicians. We are
focused on satisfying the changing needs of our customers, enabling
them to transition to a lower carbon future. Our aim is to reduce
emissions.
About Lotus
Group Lotus is based in Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, UK, NR14 8EZ. It is part of Geely
Automotive, the fastest growing automotive group in the world.
Geely has a 51% controlling stake, with 49% owned by Etika
Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.
Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance sports cars
including the Evora, Elise and Exige ranges. In July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world's
first all-electric British hypercar.
Lotus Engineering provides a comprehensive consultancy
service which works with many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1
suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing
contribution to ground-breaking automotive engineering and vehicle
development.