Currently reading: All-electric Jaguar XJ created

Prospect of zero-emissions zones in cities prompts electric prototype

An all-electric version of the new Jaguar XJ has been created in reaction to the emergence of zero-carbon zones in cities across the globe.

A senior insider told Autocar that Jaguar Land Rover envisages some of the world’s most important cities gradually introducing zero-emissions and zero-pollution zones. All vehicles unable to run purely on batteries would be banned from the area.

See the Jaguar Limo Green concept

According to the insiders, only a self-charging electric car could have sufficient zero-emissions range to be practical transport in such scenarios. Although some conventional hybrids do have the ability to run purely on battery power, their electric-only range is limited to few miles.

It’s thought that the electric XJ will be powered by a 145kW, 295lb ft electric motor fuelled by a lithium ion battery pack. The batteries will be topped up by a 35kW, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder generator designed by Lotus specifically for self-charging electric vehicles.

This drivetrain is claimed to offer a range of 600 miles, plus combined fuel economy of 57mpg, sub-120g/km of CO2 and a top speed of 112mph.

Jaguar sources also say that the handling and performance of the electric XJ is likely to surprise people “because of the bulk that’s removed from car when you strip out the conventional drivetrain”.

If, as many expect, future Range Rover models are based on the same floor and crash structure as the new X351-series XJ, the same technology could be applied to the company’s SUVs.

Jaguar and Lotus are now developing the technology with financial help from the British government’s Technology Strategy Board.

Lord Drayson, the Minister of Science, told Autocar last year that electric cars would play a “huge part in the future of motoring in this country”.

Hilton Holloway

Twitter - follow autocar.co.ukSee all the latest Jaguar reviews, news and video

Join the debate

Comments
8
Add a comment…
tannerreed 28 August 2014

Electric car from Jaguar

Electric version vehicle from Jaguar is a new model in market . Few days back only BMW cad Mercedes supplies electric car to market but now Jaguar took part in it and producing various electric vehicles . I think the look and the logo in Jaguar will rock the market with such a new innovation. Electric car having the lots of advantages that we may not get from the fuel car.
SpiritOfSenna 4 February 2010

Re: All-electric Jaguar XJ created

For a whole bunch of reasons, this seems like a fantastic idea.

Well done, Jaguar & Lotus.

JordanB2710 4 February 2010

Re: All-electric Jaguar XJ created

I was thinking the exact same thing, In London and other cities as you said top speed is totally irrelevant.