Range Rover has launched its first fully electric production model, marking one of the biggest changes in the history of the British luxury SUV brand.
The new Range Rover Electric brings battery-electric power to the flagship Range Rover for the first time, replacing the traditional petrol or diesel drivetrain with a fully electric system producing zero tailpipe emissions.
The vehicle is being built at JLR’s Solihull manufacturing plant in the West Midlands, where Range Rover production has been based for decades.
JLR has carried out a major transformation of its UK manufacturing operations in preparation for the move towards electric vehicles.
Around 9,000 employees at Solihull have undergone electrification training, with a further 1,500 workers trained across the wider West Midlands.
The company’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton is also producing battery packs and electric drive units alongside traditional internal-combustion components.
Range Rover says the new model is intended to retain the refinement and off-road capability associated with its existing vehicles while adding the smoother and quieter characteristics of electric propulsion.
The manufacturer’s UK website describes the Range Rover Electric as the beginning of a new era for the original luxury SUV.
Electric motors provide instant power delivery without traditional gear changes, while the car also supports single-pedal driving, allowing drivers to accelerate and slow the vehicle largely through use of the accelerator pedal.
Charging can be carried out at home or through public rapid-charging infrastructure.
Range Rover also offers optional dual-sided AC charging, allowing a charging cable to be connected from either side of the vehicle, depending on the specification.
The vehicle incorporates powered charging covers and illuminated charging ports.
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Despite moving to battery power, Range Rover is emphasising that the Electric has not been designed simply as an on-road luxury vehicle.
The manufacturer states that the new model can wade through water up to 900mm deep, matching the capability of some of its existing combustion and plug-in hybrid models.
The company says extensive testing has been carried out to ensure the EV can continue operating across the wide range of surfaces traditionally associated with Range Rover vehicles.
Range Rover managing director Martin Limpert said the vehicle was the result of around a decade of engineering and development work.
The company says development programmes were extended beyond their original scope to ensure the electric version retained the comfort, refinement and capability expected from the flagship model.
Battery longevity is another important element of the ownership package.
Range Rover says its comprehensive battery warranty covers the vehicle for eight years or 160,000 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The company has not positioned the Range Rover Electric as a completely separate design from the existing model.
Instead, it retains the familiar Range Rover appearance, with electric-specific details integrated into the exterior rather than creating a radically different EV design.
The launch comes as luxury manufacturers increasingly move their largest and most expensive models towards battery-electric power.
It is also significant for the UK motor industry because the vehicle will be manufactured in Britain, supported by new electric-drive and battery-production facilities in the West Midlands.
Customers can currently join the Range Rover Electric waiting list, with wider sales expected to begin in early 2027.
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Sources
Range Rover – Going Electric With Range Rover
Yahoo Autos / dpa – Range Rover Launches First Ever Electric Model
