Jaguar Land Rover: Electric Future

02nd Dec 2019

In September 2017, to much media hype, Jaguar Land Rover announced they were to electrify every model in the range by 2020. While that doesn't mean every single car the company produces will be fully electric, every model from the XE sports saloon to the Range Rover luxury SUV will have the option of a hybrid or fully electric powertrain.

In this article, we take a look at some of the company's latest innovations and what's coming in the future.

Looking backwards to move forwards - E-Type Zero

To showcase both the company's intentions to move into the electric vehicle arena and their ability to innovate, Jaguar Land Rover Classic restored an original series 1.5 E-type, fitting it with a fully electric powertrain in the process.

The unique combination of a beautiful classic car shape and the very latest in electric vehicle technology was a 'wow' moment for the company, a feeling they're aiming to recreate with each and every model that they design and engineer - particularly the latest wave of battery-powered machinery and electric vehicle concepts.

Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid

Released to the public in October 2017, the Range Rover Sport PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) became the company's first commercially available production hybrid vehicle. The P400e variant is capable of 31-miles on battery power alone before switching to a petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain for longer journeys. Combined fuel economy of 101 mpg and a 0-62 mph time of 6.3 seconds prove that efficiency and performance can be combined in a truly dynamic SUV.

The Range Rover Sport was closely followed by the full-size plug-in hybrid electric Range Rover P400e, which provides silent luxury in addition to the levels of refinement and comfort customers expect from a Range Rover. These vehicles pave the way for the first fully electric Land Rover.

I-PACE - Jaguar Electric SUV

Not only is the I-PACE - which is on sale now - Jaguar's first electric SUV - it's also their first fully electric car. Remarkable performance from the twin-motor powertrain which delivers 400PS is demonstrated by the 0-60mph acceleration time, and with a 298-mile range, you won't be caught short in the I-PACE. Because of the powertrain's design and the lack of a bulky conventional engine - the practicality and interior space is another astonishing aspect of the I-PACE.

Inside it's comparable to a large SUV, but the exterior dimensions are of a mid-sized one, allowing for a sleeker look and better aerodynamics, which contribute to the I-PACE marking its territory as one of the best performance electric cars available.

Electric Motorsport: Formula E & I-PACE eTROPHY

Back in 2016, Jaguar became the first premium car manufacturer to join the Formula E race series. After a mixed set of results in their first season, the Jaguar Racing team are looking to build some momentum after landing their first podium finish in Hong Kong.

What's perhaps more important than the champagne on the podium (don't tell this to the drivers!) is what the team of engineers are learning about this ultra-modern technology, and how they can apply it to road cars such as the I-PACE, which Jaguar are using for its very own race series, the I-PACE eTROPHY.

This new competition will make history as the first ever all-electric production based international race series, becoming the main support series for Formula E, beginning with 20 production based I-PACE SV race cars racing around 10 cities, pushing the car to its absolute limits.

Developed by the company's Special Vehicle Operations department, the race car uses pretty much the all of the same technology as the road-going I-PACE, including the battery, powertrain, inverter and aluminium architecture.

Mild hybrid systems improve fuel economy harvesting energy that is normally lost when braking, storing it in a battery until required, assisting the engine when accelerating. The engine has the ability to shut down when stationary, also saving fuel.

HEVs combine a conventional combustion engine with an electric motor and battery pack, charged through regenerative braking. HEVs are capable of travelling short distances on electric power alone, with the engine cutting in and out as required.

Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles symbol.

Working in a similar way to an HEV – combining a combustion engine with an electric motor. The difference; a PHEV has a much larger battery pack, meaning it can travel much further on electric power only, but needs to be plugged in to charge fully.

BEVs only use an electric motor and battery pack for power. There is no combustion engine. BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and need to be charged using an external power supply, preferably a dedicated electric car plug-in charge point.

What is Next for Jaguar Land Rover Electric Vehicles?

FUTURE TYPE

The FUTURE TYPE is a new electric car concept from Jaguar. It is their vision for the automotive industry from 2040 and beyond - a world where mobility is autonomous, connected and electric.

Its futuristic looks are matched by futuristic technology, with a steering wheel that's designed to become your trusted companion with the ability to summon an autonomous vehicle to your door, book you a table at your favourite restaurant, play music and even suggest which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself.

In simple terms you own the steering wheel and not the car - these are shared by multiple users.

Sustainability Projects

In the meantime, Jaguar Land Rover are working on a number of sustainability projects. Working with Climate Care on the Lighting Up Lives initiative, the company are helping to provide clean, safe, renewable solar-powered lamps to people in Kenya, with the aim of lighting up 1.2 million lives by 2020.

Another project, Waste to Waves, resulted in the creation of the first surfboard made from 100% recycled polyurethane plastic - just one of the initiatives in the company's drive to achieve zero waste to landfill.

Until the FUTURE TYPE concept becomes reality, expect more and more hybrid and electric vehicles to come from Jaguar Land Rover before their self-imposed 2020 deadline.

Waymo Partnership

Waymo and Jaguar Land Rover have agreed to engineer autonomous (self-driving) I-PACE electric vehicles, with up to 20,000 I-PACEs to be supplied as part of the deal. The goal is to make cars safer and free up more time for people.

The Waymo Jaguar I-PACE will deliver the 'grace, space and eco-pace that customers expect', according to Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth - Jaguar Land Rover CEO.

With Jaguar Land Rover's technology and innovation accelerating at such a huge rate Stratstone are looking forward to seeing what exciting new vehicles they produce in the coming years.