Could Jaguar U-turn on its all-electric future after EV rebrand backlash?

"According to sources cited by the Sunday Times, Jaguar has instructed engineers in the UK to explore the development of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that could be offered alongside its forthcoming electric models. The move would represent a significant shift from the company's stated ambition to sell only battery-electric cars. The project is said to focus on a so-called range-extender electric vehicle (REEV), a configuration in which a small petrol engine acts solely as a generator to recharge the battery,"

"The reported initiative comes after a turbulent period for the marque, which has faced public criticism over its electric-only reboot and high-profile rebrand, alongside a cyberattack last August and a reshuffle at senior management level. Late last year Jaguar Land Rover appointed PB Balaji as chief executive, parachuting him in from parent company Tata Motors to oversee Jaguar's strategic redirection."

"Jaguar's first model under the reboot, a £120,000 to £140,000 electric grand tourer, is due to be unveiled this summer and has recently completed extreme cold-weather testing near the Arctic Circle. When asked last month whether Jaguar might reconsider its EV-only plans, managing director Rawdon Glover insisted the company remained "100 per cent committed to a pure-electric future". A spokesperson for Jaguar reiterated that position, saying: "Our plans to reinvent Jaguar as an electric-only automotive brand are unchanged.""

Jaguar has reportedly instructed UK engineers to explore a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that could be offered alongside forthcoming battery-electric models, focusing on a range-extender electric vehicle (REEV). A REEV uses a small petrol engine solely as a generator to recharge the battery rather than driving the wheels, aiming to reduce range anxiety by extending total driving distance without full reliance on charging infrastructure. The move follows criticism of an electric-only reboot, a controversial rebrand, a cyberattack last August and senior management changes. PB Balaji was appointed chief executive to oversee strategic redirection, while Jaguar publicly reaffirms an electric-only ambition.

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