Lotus Technology Inc. , majority owned by Geely, has officially launched the Eletre in Canada, marking what the company says is the first China-built electric vehicle brand to enter the Canadian market under the new reduced-tariff framework for Chinese-made EVs.

The all-electric luxury SUV starts at $119,900 CAD (so not one of the promised and is manufactured in Wuhan, China. Lotus, now majority-owned by Geely Holding Group, is positioning the Eletre as its entry into Canada’s premium EV segment while leveraging the brand’s established dealer and service footprint.

Canada recently replaced its previous 100% surtax on Chinese-built EVs with a 6.1% tariff under a quota system allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-made EV imports annually. Industry observers say the change opened the door for brands such as Lotus, BYD, Chery, and others to begin entering the Canadian market.

By 2030, over 50% of the imported Chinese EVs under this framework are expected to have an import price of less than $35,000 CAD.

It should also be noted that Chinese built Tesla EVs are now to be part of the influx, lisrting the Model 3 at about $39,000.

According to reports, the first shipment of China-built Lotus Eletre SUVs headed to Canada included 18 vehicles departing from China earlier this month.

Lotus currently operates through an existing Canadian retail network. The company has six Canadian dealers and plans to expand that number to 12 by the end of 2026.

“We are seeing growing demand from customers who are looking for something more distinctive in this segment—products that combine performance with a clear sense of character,” said Feng Qingfeng, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Tech.

The launch reflects the growing role Chinese-backed automakers are expected to play in Canada’s EV market over the coming years, particularly as manufacturers seek entry through premium and niche segments before broader mainstream expansion.

Some tech highlights

The Eletre employs an 800-volt electrical system, placing it in the same high-performance charging category as vehicles like the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Benefits of the 800V system include:

• Reduced charging heat generation
• Smaller, lighter cabling
• Faster DC charging capability
• Improved sustained high-performance operation

Lotus says the Eletre can support DC fast charging up to approximately 350 kW under ideal conditions.

Battery and Powertrain

Canadian-market Eletre models are expected to use a lithium-ion battery pack with usable capacity around 112 kWh.

Powertrain configurations include:

• Dual-motor all-wheel drive
• Output ranging from roughly 603 hp to more than 900 hp in high-performance variants
• Torque-vectoring capability through independent motor control

Top-spec models can reportedly accelerate from 0–100 km/h in under three seconds, placing the Eletre firmly in super-SUV territory.