King Charles buys himself a new Lotus and it's very different to his other royal vehicles

King Charles has reaffirmed his commitment to sustainability by opting for a state-of-the-art (EV) as his newest ride. The 76-year-old monarch has selected a high-performance Lotus Eletre, which boasts cutting-edge eco-friendly materials and a 280-mile range.

As a long-time advocate for , Charles has chosen a vehicle that aligns with his values. The Lotus Eletre, typically priced at £120,000, is set to join the King's collection at one of his country estates.

The Eletre, dubbed a "hyper-SUV", is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 2.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 162mph. The car's dual-motor powertrain even produces an impressive 905 horsepower.

In keeping with Royal tradition, the vehicle is finished in the iconic claret colour, a decision that has received praise. A source revealed that ensured the car was painted in the colour, deeming it "the right look, even when off duty".

The source told : "The King has always liked ecofriendly vehicles, but seems conscious that royal claret is the right look, even when off duty... It will look far more professional for the King's personal car to match the state vehicles. The Palace has hinted that if Bentley can't make limousines for official use run on electric, they would look at other manufacturers."

Charles already has a stable of luxury cars, including a cherished Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante, a 21st birthday present from his mother, Queen Elizabeth. However, the King has long been a champion of environmental causes and the Eletre has been praised in motoring circuits for its green credentials.

This latest addition to the King's fleet reflects his dedication to eco-friendly transportation. The Palace has hinted that if Bentley cannot provide electric limousines for official use, they may consider alternative manufacturers, reports the .

As a champion of environmental causes, Charles's choice of vehicle sends a strong message about the importance of sustainable living. The Eletre was conceived at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre in the Midlands, but its production took place in Wuhan, China.

The Chinese multinational, Geely group, holds a 51 per cent stake in Lotus, the renowned British sports and racing car firm.

Environmental activists have reportedly praised the King's decision to purchase an electric vehicle (EV), viewing it as Royal approval for net zero vehicles, particularly as the UK plans to prohibit purely petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

There are even rumours that the King may abandon Bentleys as state cars if a plug-in model cannot be located.

While Royal vehicles used for official duties do not display number plates, privately owned vehicles, such as the King's expanding eco-friendly fleet, carry DVLA registrations.

Sir Michael Stevens, the keeper of the privy purse, stated last year that the two existing state Bentleys would be upgraded to run on biofuel, and that official cars could potentially become EVs in the future.

The Lotus Eletre, seen as the carmaker's shift from niche sports cars to the wider luxury market, has garnered mostly positive feedback.