Range Rover Electric Debuts with 800V System

The Range Rover Electric has debuted, with Land Rover promising it is quieter, more responsive, and has more torque than any previous model. Order taking has already commenced in the United Kingdom for the vehicle, which is offered with a choice of short or long wheelbase across seven grade levels: SE, HSE, Autobiography, SV, SV Ultra, SV Black, and First Edition.

Visually, the electric model is nearly identical to the fossil fuel-powered fifth-generation Range Rover that launched in October 2021. This similarity is by design, as both are built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA), which was developed from the start to accommodate various powertrains.

Powertrain and Battery Specifications

For the electric version, the vehicle floor is modified to house two stacked nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery packs. These contain 344 prismatic cells in total, providing 118.5 kWh of usable energy. Land Rover states this enables a WLTP range of up to 598 km (372 miles). The company also discloses its own real-world range estimate of 535 km (333 miles).

The battery system is integrated into an 800-volt electrical architecture. This supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, allowing for a 10-80% state of charge in approximately 22 minutes. Land Rover claims 10 minutes of charging can add 220 km of range.

The vehicle employs two electric motors, one on each axle. Each motor is rated at 354 PS (349 hp or 260 kW) and features silicon carbide semiconductors. Land Rover says these motors produce 20% more torque than other motors of the same size.

Performance and Off-Road Capability

With 850 Nm of torque, the Range Rover Electric surpasses the 800 Nm of the Range Rover P550e plug-in hybrid, fulfilling the promise of delivering more torque than any prior model. The company highlights the responsiveness of its electric drivetrain, managed by the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) system, which can distribute rear torque from 100% to 0% to prevent traction loss.

This is supported by the Integrated Traction Management (ITM) system. Land Rover states ITM controls motor speed within 50 milliseconds and manages slip up to 100 times quicker than in an equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle.

A new Single Pedal mode is designed to provide a high level of control. Land Rover claims it allows the vehicle to smoothly pull away on slopes up to 33 degrees or complete a rolling climb on slopes up to 45 degrees. The electric model retains the same 900 mm wading capability as the ICE version.

Development and Manufacturing Technologies

Prior to launch, the Range Rover Electric underwent physical testing equivalent to 38 laps around the world, complemented by more than 250,000 hours of virtual testing. Land Rover states this is more virtual testing than any previous Range Rover model has undergone.

The company notes several new technologies to maximise the vehicle's electric potential. These include ThermAssist, a system that manages heat to optimise driving range, charging speeds, battery longevity, and performance. Jaguar Land Rover has also established a new battery testing laboratory to ensure the battery packs can withstand knocks and jolts.

For serviceability, each vehicle comes with a 'Battery Digital Twin' that provides over 900 diagnostic data points. This system works with JLR's over-the-air software updates to enable proactive maintenance. Land Rover reports that over 300 patent applications have been filed for the Range Rover Electric, which it says is the most for a single vehicle in the brand's history.