Range Rover Electric: Australian wait list opens

December 2023: Range Rover Electric nears Australian launch

JLR has opened up the wait list for its new Range Rover Electric as it confirms the final prototype testing phase has begun.

The announcement coincides with the release of a first batch of teaser images from the Indian-owned British carmaker – although the gallery reveals little new apart from a charging port, partially closed grille design and EV-badged wheels.

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JLR has previously confirmed the Range Rover Electric will utilise an 800V architecture, allowing it to charge faster and consume less energy.

Other 800V-equipped EVs include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and EV9, among others from German and American brands.

“Created in the heart of the United Kingdom, the Range Rover Electric will slot into the range alongside its mild hybrid [MHEV] and plug-in electric hybrid [PHEV] siblings, offering a breadth of options to meet our clients’ needs," JLR engineering boss Thomas Müller said.

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Little else has been revealed about the Range Rover Electric, however, with no details available on battery capacity, outputs, or driving range.

But, given its mammoth dimensions, buyers can likely expect a battery pack larger than the BMW i7's 101.7kWh, with a claimed driving range upwards of 550 kilometres.

The company has at least confirmed the big new electric SUV's batteries and motors will be assembled at its new Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

When will the Range Rover Electric come to Australia?

JLR isn't making any promises on debut or delivery timing for the Range Rover Electric, given it is still in the prototyping phase.

Speaking with Wheels today, JLR Australia communications boss James Scrimshaw said: "As we start the physical testing phase, it is too early to make a commitment to specific client delivery dates, which will of course vary globally.

"However, by signing up to the waiting list, clients will have the opportunity to be among the first to place a pre-order."

Watch for more on the new electric Rangey to surface in the coming year.

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Above: the current 2023 Range Rover

April 2023: Jaguar Land Rover rebrands, more EVs coming

The Range Rover will become Land Rover’s first ever electric vehicle in 2024 and will be followed by EV versions of the Evoque, Discovery Sport and Velar.

Jez Spinks

An electric Range Rover was confirmed this week at a UK media event in which Jaguar Land Rover announced it would rebrand as JLR, creating a “House of Brands” that would comprise Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar.

Invite-only orders will begin later this year with the electric Rangie expected to go on sale in late 2024. It will be built at JLR’s Solihull, UK, plant – alongside an electric Jaguar GT that has also been confirmed.

JLR will continue to offer petrol, diesel and hybrid versions of its flagship vehicle, with the electric variant also utilising the company’s flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) – shared with the Range Rover Sport.

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The electric Range Rover will become a rival for models such as the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS.

The electric versions of the next-generation Evoque, Discovery Sport, and Velar (current model pictured above) are due from 2025 and will sit on JLR’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) and be built in Halewood, UK.

UK media is reporting that the Range Rover Velar will be the first of JLR’s medium-sized SUVs to get the EV treatment, as part of the company’s plan to offer an EV option on all Land Rovers by 2030.

JLR hasn’t released an EV since the company’s first in 2018 – the Jaguar i-Pace – but regulatory pressures and increasing competition, particularly in China, are forcing manufacturers to speed up their move into electrification.

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The company will invest £15 billion ($28b) over the next five years to accelerate what it calls its “modern luxury electric-first future”.

Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender will all become sub-brands – along with Jaguar – under the JLR banner.

JLR has confirmed to media, however, that the famous, green-oval Land Rover badge will continue to adorn vehicles under each of the above model families.

“Pivotal to our Reimagine strategy is the formation of the House of Brands, which is a natural evolution, with a purpose of elevating and amplifying the uniqueness of our characterful British marques,” said JLR’s chief creative officer, Gerry McGovern.

“Our ultimate ambition is to build truly emotionally engaging experiences for our clients that, overtime, will build long-term high equity for our brands and long-term sustainability for JLR.”