The Range Rover EV Is Delayed, Now Expected To Arrive In 2026

Jaguar Land Rover revealed its Reimagine strategy a few years ago. The new strategy created a new “family of brands” with Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar. It spelled out two main pillars: substantial electrification of the three Land Rover brands and a complete reinvention of Jaguar as an all-electric manufacturer.

We haven’t seen much output from this strategy reorientation so far. Jaguar launched the intriguing (and odd) Type 00 electric car concept. But we still haven’t seen an all-electric Range Rover, Defender, or Discovery vehicle. That was supposed to change later this year with the launch of an all-electric Range Rover. However, the brand has reportedly delayed that timeline.

The Range Rover Electric Will Now Arrive In 2026

The British newspaper The Guardian is reporting that JLR has delayed the rollout of the electric Range Rover from late 2025 to sometime in 2026. The report says that JLR sent letters to those on the waitlist informing them of that fact. Range Rover’s American website still invites customers to join the waitlist for pre-orders starting in 2025. Land Rover PR did not comment on a timeline change for the electric Range Rover. However, the brand confirmed in a statement to CarBuzz that it is “committed to the highest standards of design, capability, and quality” and will launch new models “at the right time.”

Per The Guardian‘s source, a primary reason for the delay is further testing. The electric Range Rover will be JLR’s first in-house-built EV; Magna Steyr built the Jaguar I-Pace. JLR can take the extra time, according to the report, because there is little financial cost associated with doing so. The company’s combustion and hybrid-powered SUVs are more profitable. The United States, one of JLR’s key markets for the Land Rover brands, has removed subsidies to support EV sales, such as the $7,500 federal tax credit for leases.

What We Know About The Electric Range Rover So Far

Range Rover hasn’t revealed the final details for its first EV yet. But some information has trickled out through press releases and reports. According to Top Gear, the electric Range Rover will launch with 542 horsepower and 647 pound-feet of torque. That output would put the Range Rover Electric slightly ahead of the 523-hp 4.4-liter V8 and just below the 543-hp inline-six plug-in hybrid.

The Range Rover EV will have a new, in-house-developed 800V battery architecture offering 350 kW fast charging. A 117-kWh battery pack should yield substantial EV range. JLR has been working on one-pedal driving for the Range Rover EV, which will work in concert with the terrain response system. The brand is promising its new ThermAssist technology will reduce energy consumption for heating by 40 percent at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The brand says its new Elysia AI software should provide more range, better battery life, and a shorter charging time.

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The Range Rover EV, like all Range Rovers, should be a capable off-roader, with enhanced capability compared to the combustion models. JLR says it will use a switchable, twin-chamber air suspension. Its Intelligent Driveline Dynamics technology can distribute rear torque from 100% to 0% as needed to maintain traction. JLR says the Range Rover EV will be up to 100 times quicker at managing slip than its combustion counterpart.

Range Rover Electric At A Glance

Source: The Guardian