Land Rover and Range Rover hybrid sales surge as EV uncertainty shifts buyer focus

Amid ongoing uncertainty around electric vehicle (EV) adoption timelines, demand for Land Rover and Range Rover plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) has surged. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reported a 29% increase in global sales of its PHEV models for the first half of its financial year, ending in September.

JLR sees PHEVs as a 'stepping stone' technology, enabling customers to familiarise themselves with electric driving while alleviating 'range anxiety' through a hybrid petrol engine. For longer journeys, the hybrid system switches seamlessly from electric to fuel, providing flexibility for those uncertain about fully committing to an EV.

Currently, JLR's Range Rover PHEVs offer an electric-only range of 70 miles—well above the UK driver's average daily mileage of 20 miles—allowing for zero-emission daily commutes in urban settings.

Looking ahead, JLR has committed to introducing fully electric models of the Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery by the end of the decade. Jaguar, JLR's sister brand, will go fully electric next year, signalling the group's dedication to electrification while balancing consumer needs.

Read at Business Matters