Land Rover has finally revealed its first all-electric Range Rover, ending years of waiting. The new electric SUV arrives with a starting price of £154,000 for the EV550 Autobiography model, and orders are now open. The vehicle is heavy and expensive, but it retains the classic silhouette of the L460 Range Rover while trading the internal combustion engine for twin electric motors.
Power and Range
The 2810kg electric SUV uses twin 349bhp electric motors, one on each axle, for all-wheel drive. This setup eliminates the need for a conventional gearbox, transfer case, or propshaft. A double-stacked 118.5kWh battery provides the energy, supported by an 800-volt electrical architecture and split-charging technology. This system helps optimise charging speeds on different types of chargers.
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The official charging figures show a 10 to 80 percent charge in 22 minutes, or 137 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The WLTP range is 372 miles, though JLR estimates real-world figures closer to 333 miles. While this is less range than some competitors, JLR argues the charging speed and infrastructure are reducing range anxiety. The car’s peak power is 543bhp, with 627lb ft of torque, and it accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds.
Off-Road Capability
Despite being an electric vehicle, the new Range Rover maintains the capabilities expected of the badge. The car can pull away on a 33-degree slope and climb a 45-degree incline if already rolling. It features 90cm of wading depth and standard-fit air suspension. JLR developed its own ThermAssist heat management unit to ensure the car performs reliably in extreme conditions, from the Arctic Circle to the desert.
The powertrain offers a level of control that is difficult to achieve with conventional engines. Because there are no gears or turbos to manage, the electric motors deliver torque the moment the driver presses the pedal. This allows for precise off-road driving, with intelligent driveline technology managing slip at a speed that is difficult for a traditional engine to match. The car has a lower centre of gravity, which helps combat bodyroll.
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Engineering and Market Position
The vehicle is built on the MLA platform, which JLR designed to be ready for electrification but is not a dedicated EV platform. This means the car does not offer the range or efficiency of smaller, road-focused electric SUVs. JLR’s managing director Martin Limpert stated that the company chose not to maximise range at the expense of performance and all-terrain capability.
JLR claims the electric model will attract many new customers, with 80,000 expressions of interest collected since the announcement. Of these, 70 percent are new to the brand. The company will build the electric and petrol variants on the same production line to meet demand, following a “pull” rather than “push” business model. The challenge for the new electric model will be convincing existing Range Rover owners to switch from their current diesel models.
