Lotus has launched its new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Charter which promises, amongst other things, that all new mainstream vehicles will be electric from next year.
The Norfolk-based automaker also said that it will become certified as a net-zero business through Science-Based Target initiatives and promised to put its employees at the heart of sustainable growth initiatives, and educate and inspire the “next generation” through community outreach.
Together, these commitments will make Lotus the first established sports car maker in the world to have a full electric product range.
“Our new ESG Charter formalises many activities that we have been carrying out for a number of years. Lotus as a business has always been agile, efficient and impactful within the automotive industry,” says Matt Windle, Lotus Cars’ Managing Director.
“Now, more than ever, as we transform rapidly to become a global pioneer of electric performance vehicles, we recognise our responsibility to do so in ways that lead our industry in minimising its impact on the environment, benefitting society and the planet as a whole.”
Lotus revealed the Eletre, its first electric car, earlier this year and promises that three new electric cars — a four-door sports saloon, a second SUV, and a lightweight sports car — will follow in the next four years.
Lotus is also making its Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture, which will underpin the sportscar, commercially available through Lotus Engineering to help other brands make the switch to electric powertrains.
Aside from manufacturing new cars, Lotus is also on its way to becoming a net-zero business. For example, the company is a signatory of the COP26 zero-emission vehicle declaration and uses a renewable energy tariff to power all of its UK sites. Similarly, all human waste from the site is recycled and used to support local agriculture.
To underpin the new ESG Charter, Lotus is adopting and aligning its strategy to external frameworks including the UN Global Compact. These frameworks follow recognised and accepted best practices for like-minded organisations.