Isn’t this a solar powered Lotus Eco Elise? What on earth is it doing sitting by the roadside in the Big Smoke? Never mind that it’s been cloudy and grey for months, the Lotus Eco Elise isn’t even out yet!
The Government’s electric car discount program isn’t due to kick in until 2011, but we’ve spotted the most carbon neutral car around, parked up in public on a London street already. As you can see, the Lotus Eco Elise is every bit as beautiful out in the open as on the tradeshow floor, and makes the Tesla S look like Sarah Jessica Parker on a bad hair day.
The solar panels are only used to power additional electronics inside the Lotus Eco Elise, like the air conditioning rather than the actual engine, but the whole car is made from Mother Earth endorsed material, from woven seats to water-based paint and bodywork made from hemp.
The Lotus Eco Elise was spotted in a part of London that’s known to be on Lotus‘ testing route, so don’t head down to the showroom just yet: the Lotus Eco Elise is still only a prototype.
Check out more pictures of the Lotus Eco Elise at its unveiling at last year’s London Motor Show.
Out TBC | £TBC | Lotus
