Range Rover Electric, Jaguar EVs delayed to 2026, hit by Trump tariffs, extended testing

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has postponed the launch of the Range Rover Electric, originally set for late 2025, to 2026. The company informed its 62,000 waitlist customers, including 400 in India, that deliveries will begin next year.JLR cited the need for extended testing and stronger market demand as reasons for the delay. The Range Rover Electric, JLR’s first ground-up EV built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture, features a 118 kWh battery with 542 bhp and 850 Nm of torque, with an estimated price above ₹3 crore in India.

The delay also affects other JLR electric vehicles. The electric Range Rover Velar, slated for production in April 2026, may face further postponement. An electric Defender is scheduled for production in early 2027.

Additionally, two Jaguar EV models, part of the brand’s rebranding, are likely delayed by several months. The first, a £100,000 electric GT based on the Type 00 Concept, is now set for production in August 2026, with a second model expected in December 2027.JLR’s decision comes amid challenges, including a 15.1% sales drop in the quarter ending June 2025, partly due to US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which led to a temporary halt in US exports. To cut costs, JLR opened a voluntary redundancy scheme for up to 500 UK managers

However, a UK-US trade deal lowering tariffs to 10% on the first 100,000 exports is expected to boost sales. JLR, owned by Tata Motors, has maintained profitability for 10 consecutive quarters.

A JLR spokesperson emphasised the company’s commitment to quality, stating, “By 2030, JLR will sell electric versions of all its luxury brands. Our plans are flexible to adapt to market demands, ensuring the highest standards of design, capability, and quality.”

The Range Rover Electric is undergoing rigorous testing to meet these standards, with JLR describing it as the most intensive testing program for any Range Rover model.

(With input from agencies)