Lotus Eletre or Eletre X: electric or hybrid, which one should you choose?

Lotus now offers its large SUV in two versions, one 100% electric and one plug-in hybrid with 952 hp. They look very much alike, but they approach long journeys in completely different ways.

The electric version, the first to arrive, comes as the Eletre 600 and Eletre 900. The hybrid version, called X, has been open for orders in Europe since 3 June 2026, and Lotus announced the first deliveries for the end of the year. The figures in this guide come from the Lotus France website and the June and October 2026 press releases, checked on 9 November 2026. For the general rules, also read our guide to choosing between electric and plug-in hybrid.

What sets the Eletre apart from the Eletre X?

Under the bodywork, almost everything changes. The Eletre 600 and Eletre 900 are 100% electric. They carry a 112 kWh battery and two electric motors, one per axle, for all-wheel drive.

The hybrid version keeps the two electric motors and all-wheel drive, with a smaller 70 kWh battery. It adds a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 52-litre fuel tank. This engine works first of all as a generator, with an output of 150 kW, producing electricity for the battery and the motors.

Below 85 km/h, only the electric motors drive the wheels. Above that speed, the petrol engine can also drive the front wheels directly, where it is at its most efficient, according to Lotus. Because its gearbox has a single ratio, it drives like an electric car, with no gear changes.

The hybrid version in this guide is available with Turismo, brand new, from November 2026.

Which one has the longest range?

On electricity alone, the Eletre 600 has the longest range. Lotus claims up to 600 km under the WLTP standard, and 410 to 500 km for the more powerful Eletre 900. The hybrid version makes do with 305 km on electricity, again under the standard.

The hybrid, however, does not need a charger to keep going. With a full battery and a full tank, Lotus claims up to 1,200 km in total. On a long trip, a few minutes at the petrol pump are enough to carry on.

Once the battery is empty, the hybrid uses 7.56 litres per 100 km under the WLTP standard. The electric model uses 21.4 to 25.4 kWh per 100 km, depending on the version. Day to day, 305 km on electricity covers most weekly journeys, provided you plug the car in often. On the motorway and in cold weather, both versions lose a good part of their electric range.

Which one charges the fastest?

Both run on high voltage, 800 volts for the electric version and 900 volts for the hybrid. This lets them make the most of the most powerful fast chargers.

Lotus claims about 20 minutes to charge the electric version up to 80% on a 350 kW charger, which recovers around 400 km of range. The hybrid goes from 20 to 80% in about 9 minutes, with a peak power of 436 kW. As its battery is smaller, those 9 minutes give it back fewer kilometres.

At home, the electric version accepts up to 22 kW on alternating current and the hybrid 11 kW. At 11 kW, Lotus quotes just over 7 hours for a full charge of the hybrid, in other words one night. The hybrid can also power an appliance at up to 6 kW, such as an e-bike or camping equipment.

Which one is the fastest?

The fastest is electric. The Eletre 900 claims more than 900 hp, a two-speed gearbox and 0 to 100 km/h in 2.95 seconds. The H1000 hybrid, the one we offer, produces 952 hp and takes 3.3 seconds. The entry versions, the 603 hp Eletre 600 and the 550 hp H550 hybrid, take 4.5 and 4.9 seconds.

The hybrid has an advantage of its own. According to Lotus, it still goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds with 10% battery left, because its petrol engine recharges on the move. Lotus also claims up to 120 kg less than the Eletre 900.

In top speed, the electric version is faster, 265 km/h for the Eletre 900 and 258 km/h for the Eletre 600, against 230 km/h for the H1000 hybrid. On our roads, limited to 130 km/h at most, the difference cannot be felt.

Which one is the most practical every day?

Both are large five-seat SUVs, and a four-seat version with individual rear seats is available as an option. The hybrid is 5.10 m long, with 3.02 m between the front and rear wheels, and has a turning circle of 11.8 m.

For towing, the hybrid is rated at up to 2,250 kg, enough for a boat, a caravan or a horsebox. In off-road mode, its air suspension rises by 50 mm for tracks and snowy roads.

On board, both versions have a 15.1-inch central screen, a head-up display and a KEF sound system with up to 23 speakers.

If the car is registered to a company, the tax authorities in Luxembourg, Belgium and France do not treat an electric car and a plug-in hybrid in the same way. Under the WLTP standard, the H1000 hybrid emits 16.7 g of CO2 per kilometre, but 172 g when its battery is empty. Run the numbers with your accountant, and read our guide to company or private cars.

Which one is available with Turismo?

Turismo offers the most powerful hybrid version, the 952 hp H1000. It is brand new, in Zenith White, with 21-inch wheels, red six-piston calipers, the active rear spoiler, the KEF Reference sound system and a glass roof with adjustable opacity. It is available from November 2026 in Luxembourg, Belgium and France.

The monthly payment depends on your country, the duration and the mileage you choose. It includes insurance, maintenance, tyres and taxes. Fuel, charging and kilometres beyond your allowance remain at your expense. The details are on the car's page.

The 100% electric version is not yet in our catalogue. If you are interested, let us know by answering the question above.

Which one should you choose?

Choose the electric version if you can charge at home or at work and if your long journeys pass fast chargers. It covers more kilometres without stopping, never uses petrol, and the Eletre 900 remains the fastest in the range.

Choose the hybrid if you often drive more than 500 km in one go, if you tow or if you drive where fast chargers are scarce. You drive on electricity during the week and forget about charging on holiday. It is also the only one of the two available with Turismo today.

FAQ: Lotus Eletre or Eletre X

In short

• The electric Eletre has the longest range without charging, up to 600 km WLTP for the Eletre 600.
• The Eletre X hybrid covers up to 305 km on electricity and up to 1,200 km in total.
• The Eletre X charges faster, from 20 to 80% in about 9 minutes, and tows up to 2,250 kg.
• With Turismo, the 952 hp Eletre X H1000 is available from November 2026.