Lotus Engineering, the automotive consultancy division of Lotus, has created a new research and development group solely for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The company says it has set up the group due to an increasing need for hybrid and electric vehicles, and a growing demand for consultancy work in that area.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc, said: 'I am pleased to confirm the formalisation of this existing team, which will support our strong global growth on ecological technologies.
'We have an intensely proactive growth plan over the next five years and we are already seeing substantial increases in third party client work for our global client base, of which considerable research and development into hybrid and electric vehicles is a major part.
'Indeed over the next five years, Lotus will further reinforce its position as a world leader in green transport engineering.'
Phil Barker has been appointed as Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies and will report to Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain.
He added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue the already ground-breaking and successful work conducted on hybrid and electric vehicles by Lotus Engineering.
'We already have an incredibly strong team of engineers working in this area and the formalisation of this group further enhances our ability to provide both Low CO2 and zero emissions vehicle solutions to our clients.'