Jaguar Land Rover, which recently rebranded itself as JLR, has announced that the Next-Gen Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar will go pure electric. According to a latest media report, the Velar will be the first one to arrive, slated to launch by late 2024.
Range Rover Velar Electric: What we know so far
The Next-Gen Velar will be underpinned by the all-new EMA (Electric Modular Architecture) Platform. Previously planned to be used for JLR’s hybrid models, new CEO Adrian Marnell told investors last year that the new platform is undergoing an engineering approval process for the upcoming EVs.
New Range Rover Velar will also be the first all-electric SUV to be introduced, according to a JLR statement. While details are scarce, the second-gen SUV will feature an all-new exterior design and a completely different exterior. It is also likely to offer a dual-electric motor setup to retain the all-wheel-drive, go-anywhere capabilities of a Range Rover.
More Pure Electric Land Rover SUVs Coming
During the investors' meeting, Mardell also stated that up to four new models will be built on the new EMA platform. This includes the Next-Gen Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. The fourth model is yet to be announced, but it may very well be a smaller Land Rover Defender.
All of the upcoming electric SUVs will use battery packs from Tata’s new European gigafactory. However, until then, JLR will source the batteries from an external supplier.
Read Also: Land Rover Defender 130 Launched at Rs 1.30 Crore in India
JLR Plant to Build EVs Only
The automaker has announced that its production facility in Halewood, UK, is being renovated to build EVs only. Built in 1964 by Ford, the factory is being converted at a cost of £ 380 million by JLR. This conversion will be completed by 2024, becoming the hub of producing the new EMA-based electric SUVs that will arrive in the same year.
Read Also: Smaller Land Rover Defender Model Under Consideration
