Jaguar Land Rover to electrify model range from 2020

Every new Jaguar Land Rover model launched from 2020 will have an electrified variant, the company has confirmed.

The move means that all new JLR models from that date will offer either a fully electric, plug-in hybrid or 48V mild hybrid option within their individual line-ups.

JLR said: “Jaguar Land Rover is working towards a cleaner future. By 2020 the company will offer customers the option of electrification on all its new car lines (and half of its vehicle line-up).” 

Honda has recently confirmed that all of its new models from 2020 on will have an electrified variant, starting with its fifth-generation CR-V.

The announcement differs from Volvo’s recent assertion that all of its models will be electrified starting from 2019. In that case, every single model in the Volvo range will be fully electric, plug-in hybrid or 48V mild hybrid vehicles.

In reality, a large majority of vehicles will be electrified by 2020, as car makers react to increasing pressure to lower emissions across the board.

Talking about the announcement, Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth said: “Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles.”

JLR has not specified its definition of a mild hybrid vehicle, because it has not yet announced such a model in the public domain. However, we expect it to echo a JLR prototype called Concept_e MHEV. This mild hybrid is based on a Range Rover Evoque donor vehicle and features a prototype 89bhp diesel engine with a 48V electrical system. It incorporates a 15kW crank-integrated motor with a disconnect clutch within a hybrid module sandwiched between the engine and a nine-speed transmission. The motor-generator is powered by an advanced 48V electrical system and a 48V lithium ion battery.

Jaguar’s first electric model, the I-Pace SUV will go on sale next year, while a Range Rover update due later this year is expected to contain new hybrid variants.

The I-Pace will be built by contract manufacturer Magna Steyr's factory in Austria. JLR has previously suggested it would like to build an electric car plant in the UK, similar to Nissan’s Sunderland facility where the Leaf is built, but it is yet to make a commitment. Earlier this year, BMW announced it would build its electrc Mini in Oxford.