Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plans to drive in around half a dozen 'electrified' models in India in next 12-18 months as part of its global push for environmental-friendly vehicles, a top company official said here on September 26. The UK-based auto major also said it is on track to offer electrified options for each of its entire portfolio of vehicles by 2020 globally. The initiative is part of a new direction 'Destination Zero', which aims towards zero fatality, emission, and congestion to develop a safe and cleaner environment for the future.
The electrified models in India would include I-Pace all-electric car and range of hybrid vehicles under the Land Rover badge.
"We are on track to fulfil our 2020 commitment to offering our customers an electrified option in every model," JLR CEO Ralph Speth said here. For decades, the company has invested over proportionally in sustainable products, latest facilities and new technologies, he added. "We were the first to bring a premium all-electric SUV...Based on our rich experience gained from the I-Pace, the Formula E, we will also deliver the world's first fully electric luxury sports saloon, the flagship of Jaguar the all-new XJ," Speth said. In India, the company would introduce pure electric SUV Jaguar I-Pace in the second half of the next year, he added. Some of the existing Land Rover models in India will also be upgraded with hybrid technology.
Speth said that in order to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility trends government, academia and industry will have to come together. "Environment is an obligation for all. The automotive industry is playing its part and JLR has built a strong foundation for this transformation," he said. Speth said India is a signatory to the Paris agreement and is really at the forefront in this (sustainable mobility) kind of thinking and the mindset. "I am absolutely sure that in India, a lot of customers, from our point of view, will be prepared for this kind of technology," he noted. He, however, added that the question is not to bring in technology just for the sake of technology. It has to contribute to the environment.
"But it doesn't make sense if the source of energy is not renewable. So, therefore, we need renewable energy. Does India have renewable energies," Speth asked. JLR's product portfolio in India ranges from the Jaguar XE sedan with starting price of Rs 40.61 lakh and going all the way up to the Range Rover priced at Rs 1.82 crore onwards. Currently, it is locally manufacturing six vehicles at its facility in Pune. These are Jaguar XE, XF, F-PACE under its portfolio and the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar and Discovery Sport under the Land Rover portfolio.
When asked about the demand for I-PACE globally, Speth said the company has received an "overwhelming" response and the company is facing capacity constraints. JLR expects supply situation to remain challenging with shortage for batteries, he said, adding that the company expected the battery prices to remain high in the coming three years at least.
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