Next-gen Range Rover Evoque EV (2025) to feature the EMA platform [Update]

Update: Introduction and ‘Platform & Specifications,’ ‘Battery production,’ ‘Price & release date,’ and ‘Production‘ sections updated.

The Mk2 Range Rover Evoque was introduced in late 2018, and as per a report from Autocar filed on April 19, 2023, the third-gen Evoque will replace it as an electric SUV in 2025. Here’s everything we know about the Range Rover Evoque Electric so far:

Platform & Specifications

The next-gen Range Rover Evoque, like the next-gen Porsche Macan, will be a pure electric SUV by default. The Autocar report claims JLR plans to offer the next-gen Range Rover Evoque, next-gen Land Rover Discovery Sport, and next-gen Range Rover Velar exclusively as EVs.

The Range Rover Evoque EV will be based on a new platform called ‘Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA).’ JLR announced EMA as a “native BEV” or a pure-electric biased platform that supports advanced electrified internal combustion engines in 2021. On April 19, 2023, JLR announced a change in the plan, saying EMA “will now be pure-electric.”

In JLR’s words, the EMA platform, “born from an obsession with simplicity,” will allow using batteries of various shapes and chemistries. This may give the company a lot of flexibility and offer multiple configurations as per the range and performance requirements of customers in different markets.

Flat floor & 800V capability

The EMA platform will feature a flat floor that maximizes cabin space and come with in-house developed electric drive units (EDUs) that deliver 92% efficiency. The EDUs will be 800V capable and also the most torque dense in the class. JLR estimates their energy efficiency to be 4-4.5 miles/kWh, which would improve greatly on the I-Pace’s energy efficiency ratings. For reference, the I-Pace has an energy efficiency rating of 35.4-40.5 kWh/100 miles (2.4-2.8 miles/kWh) in both EV320 and EV400 variants, as per Europe’s WLTP. Expect the electric Evoque to offer plenty of space, with short wait times at the charging station, and competitive range figures.

Full electrification benefits

There are many ways in which the Range Rover Evoque Electric will be superior to a comparable gas-powered SUV. A noise-free electric powertrain would make driving more enjoyable for customers. Furthermore, the flat floor would provide more passenger and storage space, which would improve comfort and functionality.

In addition to the default benefits of the Evoque’s compact dimensions, the torquey nature of an electric powertrain would make the zero-emission SUV an even better urban runabout. Moreover, if you enjoy off-road driving, it should provide more capability.

Battery production

The batteries of the Range Rover Evoque EV could come from a factory in the UK or Spain. On April 19, 2023, citing JLR CEO Adrian Mardell, Financial Times published a report saying parent company Tata Motors will soon decide on a new battery factory in either of the two European countries. The battery technology will come from China’s Envision AESC.

Envision AESC already plans to set up a new battery manufacturing plant in the UK. To be built in Sunderland, the British plant will serve Nissan. Should JLR also work out a deal for battery supply with the Chinese battery supplier, its potential volumes may warrant another battery plant in the UK. JLR wants batteries sourced from a local factory, but production sites in Spain, where the costs could be lower, is also under consideration, it is reported. Neither JLR nor Envision AESC has confirmed talks about a battery supply deal.

Production at Tata Motors’ European battery plant won’t start for at least four years, as per the Financial Times report. Until then, the company will source batteries from other locations, possibly including Envision AESC’s Sunderland (UK) plant. JLR doesn’t plan to establish a Gigafactory to make batteries, Mardell said, as per a report BirminghamLive published on April 19, 2023.

Unique design proportions

On January 31, 2022, former Jaguar Land Rover CEO Thierry Bollore briefly talked about the EMA platform during the parent company’s Q3 FY22 earnings conference call. He said that JLR is developing the platform because, like the MLA, it will allow designing cars with unique proportions and capabilities.

The MLA platform – it’s a unique platform. It’s a platform which is bringing (not only) all this proportion that you can see on our cars, but also all the extraordinary capabilities which make them completely unique. And that’s a differentiation that we continuously want to enhance. So the consequence is that we are creating at the moment (as) we speak the new EMA platform, because it’s going to bring a unique proportion and capabilities to the cars that we’re going to manufacture.

Thierry Bollore, former CEO, Jaguar Land Rover (Tata Motors Q3 FY22 earnings conference call on January 31, 2022)

Price & Release date

We think the next-gen Range Rover Evoque would be much more expensive than the second-gen model that’s currently in showrooms. The base price of the bespoke electric SUV will likely be around USD 60,000. For reference, the prices of the gas-powered second-gen model start at USD 51,000.

The Autocar report states 2025 as the Range Rover Evoque EV release date. The launch of the Range Rover Evoque electric is the perfect timing given the recent promise of the BMW iX2 and the Volvo C40 to develop that sub-segment as a profitable niche.

Production

According to Autocar, production of the next-gen Range Rover Evoque will take place at Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, UK, the same facility responsible for the first- and second-gen models. This factory will be JLR’s first all-electric manufacturing facility.

JLR has started the groundwork to make the factory compatible with EMA platform-based EVs by beginning the tendering process. There will be a shutdown for an extended period to complete the conversion in 2024.

2025 Range Rover Evoque part of ‘Reimagine’ strategy

JLR plans to come out with six Land Rover BEVs by 2026 and estimates 60% of its sales to come from BEVs by 2030. With the Range Rover Evoque, one of its top three best-selling Land Rovers, offering it in a pure electric powertrain in the next generation was always on the cards.

As the global automotive industry evolves, it’s clear to us that Land Rover finds itself at a crossroad. The company must respond quickly build an all-electric vehicle line-up in order to remain in the market. This is due to a combination of factors, such as tightening emission regulations including the looming ban on combustion vehicles in some of its big markets (New York, which is one of the biggest markets for the Range Rover models, is banning new gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035), pressure from Chinese competitors, and the fact that Tesla and the German trio are already well ahead of Land Rover with EVs.

Evoque popularity slides in 2022

In 2022, a year that was marred by supply chain challenges, sales of the Range Rover Evoque dipped. With 54,177 units delivered (retail), global sales were down 14.5% from 2021 (63,398 units). Wholesale figures similarly declined by 13.3% year-over-year to 39,988 units (2021: 46,123 units).

Jaguar Land Rover hasn’t released country-specific sales data, meaning we can’t provide a picture of how the Evoque is performing in the U.S., although it’s safe to assume that shipments were down here, too. We think that an all-electric Evoque will add a renewed spark of life to fading sales, particularly in markets like America which are ahead on the EV adoption curve.

TopElectricSUV says

Electric or combustion-engined, the Range Rover Evoque is about clean, reductive, and charming design. The first-gen Evoque was distinguished by its coupe-like sloping roofline and rising beltline, which is no more a novelty, The global car market is awash with SUV coupes, and a streamlined body is a prerequisite in EV design. So will Gerry McGovern and his designers simply add refinement and sophistication to the original formula? We certainly hope that there’s more to the third-gen Evoque!

Featured Image Source: Jaguar Land Rover