Jaguar Land Rover plan will stay the same despite petrol diesel car ban uncertainty
Jaguar Land Rover is firm in its commitment to electric cars, asserting that it will not slow down its transition to electric ecosystem even if the UK government delays the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
The CEO of JLR, Adrian Mardell, stated that the company’s plans to embrace electric vehicles will remain unchanged. This comes after the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, refrained from publicly supporting the 2030 deadline amid pressure on the government’s net zero plans.
Recently, Jaguar Land Rover reported a rise in sales for its cars and announced a substantial £4 billion investment to manufacture electric vehicles using batteries from a UK factory.
The 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, with a 2035 ban on hybrids, was a key policy of Sunak’s predecessor, Boris Johnson. However, some politicians and members of the automobile industry have suggested pushing back the deadline, arguing that it could aid British manufacturers and reduce costs for car buyers. On the other hand, some British politicians claim that the date remains immovable and continues to be the government’s policy.
Mardell says that electric cars using current lithium-ion battery technology might be costlier than traditional petrol or diesel versions, in contrast to some analysts’ predictions of falling costs. Car manufacturers typically plan their products over several years, leaving them with limited flexibility when government policies change.
JLR’s owner, Tata Group, recently announced plans to build a gigafactory in the UK, signalling a strong shift towards electric vehicles and aiming for the growth of the UK battery industry. Mardell confirmed that JLR engineers would play a significant role in battery technology and development.
While the British carmaker has been slower than some competitors in adopting electric cars, its first all-electric Range Rover is scheduled to go on sale in 2024, followed by other electric models. Currently, the flagship vehicle is only available in petrol and diesel engine options.
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