Lupa plans production of electric cars in Spain and Uruguay

From Barcelona, the Spanish start-up aims to expand and offer electric cars in the affordable segment. This means that the compact Lupa E26 costs 9,400 euros without a battery, while the 50-kWh battery version costs 17,000 euros net. It should be able to charge back to 80 percent battery level within 25 minutes and offer a range of up to 350 km. The electric car is supposed to accelerate to 100 km/h in nine seconds and reach a top speed of up to 150 km/h.

Additionally, an SUV, called E137, is in the planning stage. It is expected to cost 11,500 euros without a battery, 19,100 euros with a 42-kWh battery, and 23,000 euros net with a 64-kWh battery. The third projected model is the van E66, which is also supposed to produce up to 140 hp and offer a range of up to 350 kilometers.

Sales will be conducted exclusively online; for deliveries and maintenance work, Lupa intends to cooperate with a number of workshops, following the example of other start-ups. The team around founder and CEO Carlos Alvarez is allegedly composed of engineers from Ferrari, Land Rover, McLaren, and Nissan.

Exchangeable battery as USP - without battery, the car remains under 10,000 euros net

The core technology is a replaceable battery, which has been costing 7,600 euros since February 26, 2021. This battery is supposed to be mountable under any Lupa model at any cooperating workshop. Interesting for its later "life" as a used car: If the car is resold without a battery, the new owner can order a new battery from Lupa, thus getting a cheaper vehicle with a new battery, which is more affordable than buying a new car. The used car seller could also repurpose the battery or use it in another way, or switch from a compact car to an SUV. The vehicle batteries can also be used as "PowerHome" home storage. Alvarez hopes that this sophisticated battery concept will lead to more sustainable use of the battery in its second life and increased customer loyalty.

No information is available yet about production, which is supposed to take place in Barcelona. Likewise, details about suppliers for key components and especially financing are still missing. Nonetheless, a second plant in Uruguay is already planned, which is to start operations in 2024. This plant will produce, among other things, the presented electric small car and an electric delivery van. With this assembly, Lupa aims to serve the entire Latin American market, with a focus on the countries of the Mercosur community.

The exact location of the announced factory has not yet been disclosed. The annual capacity is initially expected to include 20,000 electric cars. In addition, the factory in Uruguay is supposed to produce "resource-friendly," networked, and flexible from the start, while also being CO2-neutral, according to the company. The choice of Uruguay was also made because, alongside Iceland, Costa Rica, and Norway, it is one of the few countries that relies entirely on renewable energy sources.

What does that mean?

Above all, Lupa's battery plans are exciting and ambitious. So far, the car itself seemingly exists only as a 1:1 prototype, since there have been no interior shots. In crucial areas such as technology components, suppliers, and financing, the Barcelonians have also been rather reserved in their communication. However, the simple bodywork at low prices with easily replaceable batteries has potential.