Jaguar Land Rover announces more EVs

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed plans to manufacture new EVs at its manufacturing plant in Castle Bromwich, UK.

The company is committed to offering customers electrified options for all new Jaguar and Land Rover models from 2020.

“The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emission vehicles in the UK,” Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Ralf Speth says.

“We are co-locating our electric vehicle manufacture, Electronic Drive Units (EDU) and battery assembly to create a powerhouse of electrification in the Midlands.”

In January, the company confirmed plans to bring battery and EDU assembly to the Midlands with investment in new and existing facilities.

The announcement is the next stage in execution of Jaguar Land Rover’s electrification strategy.

The first EV to be produced at the plant will be Jaguar’s luxury salon, the XJ. The new XJ will build on the characteristics of its predecessors – design, performance and luxury.

Jaguar Land Rover’s EV expansion will see customers offered a greater choice of vehicles to suit their lifestyles, but increased consumer take-up remains a challenge.

“Convenience and affordability are the two key enablers to drive the uptake of electric vehicles to the levels that we all need. Charging should be as easy as refuelling a conventional vehicle.”

“Affordability will only be achieved if we make batteries here in the UK, close to vehicle production, to avoid the cost and safety risk of importing from abroad. The UK has the raw materials, scientific research in our universities and an existing supplier base to put the UK at the leading edge of mobility and job creation.”