Jaguar Land Rover is gearing up for an electrified future with a massive £15 billion investment over the next five years. The investment will be used to launch new electric platforms and prepare plants for production. The company plans to convert its Halewood plant into a purely electric production facility, while the Wolverhampton engine plant will produce electric drive units and battery packs. The plant will be renamed as the ‘Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre’.
Jaguar Land Rover’s electrification strategy gained momentum after the company announced in February 2021 that Jaguar would become an all-electric brand from 2025. The latest development suggests that the British carmaker is moving closer to its electrification goals, although not as expected, as the brand will launch a new Range Rover first.
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JLR will start taking pre-orders for the all-electric variant of the Range Rover by the end of this year. The first next-generation luxury SUV will be an all-electric midsize Range Rover, manufactured in Halewood and launched in 2025. The upcoming electric SUV will be based on the new all-electric EMA platform, which will feature an 800-volt platform and high-torque electric motors.
JLR is developing three electric platforms for its luxury models, including the MLA platform for internal combustion engine, hybrid and battery-electric drive. The company is also developing a new platform called JEA, which will be used to manufacture the upcoming four-door GT. The GT is due to start sales in 2024, with deliveries in 2025.
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While JLR aims to become an electric-first modern luxury carmaker by 2030, it may not reach its goal of making Jaguar a purely electric brand by 2025. However, the company’s Reimagine strategy, which was developed by CEO Adrian Mardell, aims to reposition JLR as an electric-first carmaker by 2030.
Mardell said, “This investment enables us to deliver to our modern luxury electric future, developing new skills, and reaffirming our commitment to be carbon net zero by 2039.” The investment underscores JLR’s commitment to electrification and sustainability, and the company’s electrification plans will likely shape the future of the luxury car industry.
