Today marked the first public appearance of King Charles and Queen Camilla in their newly acquired, eco-friendly vehicle—a sleek £160,000 Lotus Eletre sports car. The royal couple, with King Charles at the helm, made their way to the Sunday Church service in Sandringham, showcasing their commitment to sustainable transportation.
Arriving in the distinctive Royal Claret motor, the 77-year-old monarch was all smiles as he interacted with the gathered Royal fans outside St Peter’s Church. In a lighthearted moment, King Charles described the high-tech vehicle as “silent but deadly,” reflecting both its stealthy nature and powerful performance.
On the scenic grounds of the Royal Sandringham estate, the King is expected to frequently use the 164-mph Lotus Eletre for personal travel. This all-electric ‘hyper-SUV’ not only offers supercar-like performance but also aligns with the eco-conscious values increasingly embraced by the royal family.
The Lotus Eletre, a marvel of modern engineering, promises a 280-mile range on a single charge. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 2.95 seconds, underscoring its impressive capabilities. Notably, the car is manufactured in Hethel, Norfolk, conveniently located just a few miles from Sandringham, adding a local touch to this royal acquisition.
The Lotus Eletre is an all-electric ‘hyper-SUV’ that combines supercar performance with green credentials.
It boasts a 280-mile range on a single battery, can race from 0-62mph in just 2.95 seconds and is made in Hethel in Norfolk – just a few miles from Sandringham.
Before buying the car, the Royal family had a Lotus on loan. It comes after the King last year announced he had fitted electric charging points at his Royal households and bought two new electric BMWs.
He previously used the Royal family’s first all-electric car, an EV400 HSE Jaguar I-Pace, which was delivered in 2018, but the car was auctioned off last year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have today been seen for the first time in their new electric £160,000 Lotus Eletre sports car
The 77-year-old monarch and Camilla were driven in the Royal Claret motor for the Sunday Church service in Sandringham this morning
The latest addition to His Majesty’s garage was hailed by green campaigners last May as a powerful symbol of royal endorsement for electric vehicles, especially as Britain’s car industry wrestles with strict government mandates to go electric or face hefty fines.
The King’s taste in automobiles goes far beyond the modern electric age.
He’s long been known for his love of classic British engineering, famously owning a 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, gifted to him by the Emir of Bahrain. It was auctioned for charity in 1995.
Still part of the royal fleet is a cherished Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, a 21st birthday present from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2008, it was famously converted to run on bioethanol – made from ‘wine and cheese,’ the King once quipped. In reality, it’s fermented plant waste.
And the King also evidently has an affection for the classic Rolls-Royce Phantoms, with at least three of them reportedly kept in the royal mews.
All painted in Royal Claret, these V8-powered beasts include a 1961 Phantom V limousine, formerly a state car, and a 1962 landaulet model inherited from the Queen Mother, complete with a retractable rear roof so the public can catch a better glimpse of the King.
It’s a fine line between personal passion and official duty.
A beaming Charles, who had placed an order last year for the eco car, joked to Royal fans gathered outside St Peter’s Church that the Lotus was ‘silent but deadly’
King Charles III and Archbishop of Canterbury elect, Dame Sarah Mullally, attend Mattins at St Peter’s church on January 25, 2026
The King is believed to be using the 164-mph Lotus as a run-around on his Royal Sandringham estate
Royal vehicles used on state business remain number plate–free, while privately owned motors, like the King’s growing eco-fleet, bear DVLA registrations.
Fans note that the decision to purchase the green car is in keeping with King Charles’s long-standing environmental ethos.
In the summer of 2024, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, revealed that even the state Bentleys will soon be adapted to run on biofuels, pending discussions about an all-electric future for the royal fleet.
Lotus, the historic British marque behind the King’s latest motor, is now 51 per cent owned by Chinese giant Geely, which also controls Volvo and the makers of London’s iconic black cabs.
