British media outlet The Times reported over the weekend that Jaguar was considering adding extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) to its future lineup, signaling a shift away from its plan to sell only fully electric luxury vehicles.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the British outlet said Jaguar engineers had been asked to build a hybrid engine.
According to the report, Jaguar’s models launching this year will still be all-electric, with other powertrain options still in early development for future models.
Approached by the outlet, JLR had declined to comment on the topic. However, the carmaker denied the plans on Monday, speaking with Automotive News Europe.
“Our plans to reinvent Jaguar as an electric-only luxury automotive brand are unchanged,” a spokesperson for the brand stated.
EREVs
The report stated that the hybrid powertrain could boost the range of new Jaguar models from 700 km to 1,100 km, helping to ease range anxiety — a key factor slowing the consumer switch to EVs.
While traditional plug-in hybrid vehicles combine a petrol engine with an electric motor and a relatively large battery, EREVs are driven solely by the electric motor, with a small internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to recharge the battery when it runs low.
EREVs have rapidly grown in China, led initially by Li Auto.
Guangzhou-based XPeng began hybrid production last year and has promised a range of more than 1,000 km for its first EREV, the X9 MPV.
Tech giant Xiaomi, which began producing vehicles in 2024, is also set to launch extended-range vehicles this year.
Rebranding
Jaguar‘s major rebrand in 2024 has led both customers and dealers to question demand for a new, fully electric lineup.
The backlash began when the brand published a promotional video featuring models in colorful outfits and no Jaguar vehicles.
The Type 00 concept car was presented a month later and received largely unfavorable reactions.
The Reimagine strategy, launched in 2021 by then-CEO Thierry Bolloré, aimed to redefine the identity of the British brand, with a key goal of having all Jaguar and Land Rover models be fully electric by 2025.
Bolloré stepped down in late 2022 and was replaced by longtime Jaguar executive Adrian Mardell, first as interim CEO and later confirmed in the role.
Mardell led the company until his retirement in mid-2025.
Late last year, the newly appointed CEO PB Balaji dismissed Chief Design Officer Gerry McGovern.
Speaking with The Times on Saturday, McGovern — who the outlet says “quit” in the autumn — has stated that the “ordinary” Jaguar brand was “drowning” in a sea of German competitors such as BMW and Audi.
Lineup
Jaguar has ended production of most of its petrol and diesel models in 2024, planning to return with three new electric models: a four-door grand tourer, a large luxury SUV, and a sedan or sporty alternative in the luxury segment.
The first model to be launched in Jaguar‘s upcoming lineup will be a grand tourer for which the design will only be unveiled later this year.
Orders are expected to open in either March or April, at a price tag of around $130,000, according to Car and Driver.
