King Charles and Queen Camilla were spotted in style this Sunday as they arrived for church at Sandringham in their brand-new electric Lotus Eletre, a sleek £160,000 sports SUV.
The monarch, known for his wry sense of humour, quipped to the gathered crowd that the car is “silent but deadly,” drawing smiles from royal fans.
The 77-year-old King had placed the order for the eco-friendly vehicle last year and appears to be enjoying it as a go-to car for trips around his Sandringham estate.
Camilla joined him in the striking Royal Claret–coloured car, marking the royal couple’s first public outing in the high-performance electric SUV.
A Modern Super-SUV with Green Credentials
The Lotus Eletre isn’t just a royal statement; it’s a technical marvel.
This all-electric “hyper-SUV” can reach 62mph from a standstill in just 2.95 seconds and offers an impressive 280-mile range on a single charge.
Built in Hethel, Norfolk, it’s just a short drive from Sandringham, giving the King a distinctly local connection to his eco ride.
Before making the purchase, the royal family tested a Lotus on loan, reflecting the couple’s growing interest in sustainable motoring.
The car follows King Charles’s broader commitment to green transport, which includes installing electric charging points at royal residences and adding two electric BMWs to the royal garage last year.
A Royal Track Record with Electric Cars
King Charles has dipped his toe into electric driving before.
The royal family’s first EV, a Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE, arrived in 2018 but was sold at auction last year.
The arrival of the Lotus Eletre has been hailed by environmental campaigners as a powerful endorsement for electric vehicles at a time when Britain’s car industry faces mounting pressure to switch to zero-emission transport.
Classic Cars Remain Close to the King’s Heart
While embracing the electric age, King Charles remains a devoted fan of classic British cars.
His love of timeless engineering is well-documented, from the 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, gifted by the Emir of Bahrain, to his long-loved Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, a 21st birthday present from the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Notably, the DB6 was converted in 2008 to run on bioethanol fuel, which the King jokingly described as being made from “wine and cheese,” although it actually comes from fermented plant waste.
Rolls-Royce enthusiasts will also note that the King keeps at least three Phantoms in the royal mews, including a 1961 Phantom V limousine and a 1962 landaulet, both in Royal Claret and historically tied to the Queen Mother.
Balancing Personal Passion and Royal Duty
Royal cars used for official duties are kept number plate–free, while privately owned vehicles like the King’s eco-friendly fleet carry standard DVLA registrations.
Fans have noted that the Lotus purchase aligns perfectly with King Charles’s long-standing environmental philosophy.
Even state-owned Bentleys are set to be adapted to run on biofuels, with future discussions exploring a fully electric royal fleet, according to Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse.
Lotus: A British Icon with a Modern Twist
The Lotus brand itself blends British heritage with international ownership.
Now 51 percent owned by Chinese giant Geely, Lotus continues to produce cutting-edge vehicles while remaining tied to its historic roots in Norfolk.
As for the royal garage, the Lotus Eletre represents the latest chapter in King Charles’s ongoing love affair with cars that combine performance, style, and environmental consciousness.
The question now is what exciting addition might be next for the King’s ever-evolving fleet.
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