Jaguar Land Rover Focusing On Hybrids As EV Sales Slow Down

Land Rover will launch four new EV models instead of six by 2026.​

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is the latest automaker to announce a step back from its EV program to focus on plug-in hybrids. Per Automotive News, the British automaker is "working hard" to cater to the increasing demand for PHEVs.
General Motors pulled the same move not a long time ago, though the models getting a PHEV powertrain are yet to be disclosed. The last time the Michigan-based manufacturer offered one was with the Chevrolet Volt, which ran in the 2010s. Ford is turning its focus to hybrids too.

"What you have seen from other OEMs is that the race to BEV is starting to stutter a little," said Adrian Mardell, CEO, JLR.

PHEVs are seen as a stepping stone to EVs, with a charging port that can be plugged into a home socket or charging station. The difference is that PHEVs can still be filled with fuel at a gas station, preventing owners from experiencing the so-called range anxiety.

The lineup of Land Rover is available with a PHEV powertrain, while Jaguar offers it on the F-Pace and E-Pace - both outgoing models. In Europe, the automaker's PHEV sales reportedly rose 68% to 45,224 in 2023, and it seems the demand for such a vehicle is only growing amid the EV era.

The focus on PHEVs prompted Land Rover to lower its new EV launch from six to four models by 2026. The electric Range Rover seems to be still on track for a reveal later this year, and it already has 16,000 people on the waitlist. It will be followed by an electric version of the Range Rover Sport, with both EVs underpinned by the same Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform.

The other two new Land Rover EVs, which will be using the upcoming EMA EV platform, have not been named, though EV versions of the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar are some of the candidates. More EMA-based models will reportedly come out 12 months later. An electric Defender is also reportedly in the works.

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Meanwhile, a PHEV push is not in Jaguar's cards as it plans to become an all-electric brand by 2025. The current lineup (including the Jaguar I-Pace EV) will be replaced by an all-electric four-door Super GT, which will take on the Porsche Panamera. A second EV is said to be in the pipeline.

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With these automakers switching up their electrification campaign, it seems brands that took their time transitioning to EVs, like Toyota, which recently committed to a new engine project, got it right. Regardless, JLR is still targeting to achieve 60% EV sales by 2030, rising to 100% by 2036.

Article written by Rex Sanchez with CarBuzz.com