Jaguar Land Rover has debuted the first fully electric Range Rover, giving its flagship luxury sport utility vehicle a battery-electric variant after a longer-than-planned development cycle. Bloomberg reports that the model starts at £154,070, or $208,420, a price point that will test demand for high-end electric SUVs. WIRED reports that the Range Rover Electric was first announced in December 2023, had been expected to arrive in 2024, and was pushed back after extended development testing. The pricing story depends heavily on market and trim. WIRED says the UK entry Autobiography model starts at £154,070, while the SV Black long-wheelbase version rises to £225,240, or more than $304,000. Ars Technica and WIRED both report that US customers get a lower SE-spec version starting at $138,000; WIRED adds a $2,550 delivery and destination charge. Ars Technica describes the 2027 Range Rover Electric as a battery-electric version that sits alongside combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers rather than replacing them outright. That positioning matters: according to Ars, the electric model looks close to the rest of the Range Rover lineup, with a slightly more aerodynamic grille and wheels, a flat underbody, and the absence of tailpipes as the clearest visual cue. The technical package is built around two 260-kilowatt motors. WIRED reports that the dual-motor system produces up to 542 horsepower and 850 newton-meters of torque; Ars Technica gives the same combined output as 542 hp and 627 pound-feet, or 850 Nm. WIRED says the vehicle can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The battery is large, but not unusual for this size and class of vehicle. WIRED and Ars Technica both report a 118.5-kWh net battery and an 800-volt system. WIRED says JLR claims a maximum WLTP range of 372 miles and a real-world figure of up to 333 miles, while Ars Technica’s summary also cites 333 miles of real-world range. WIRED reports that the battery can recharge from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes, or add 137 miles in 10 minutes. JLR is trying to frame the vehicle as a Range Rover first and an electric vehicle second. WIRED reports that JLR claims the traction system can manage motor speed within 50 milliseconds and handle slip up to 100 times faster than equivalent internal-combustion systems. WIRED also reports single-pedal driving on climbs up to 45 degrees and 900-millimeter wading capability, while Ars Technica highlights the fast response times of the electric drive units. The launch comes as demand for luxury EVs has looked uneven. WIRED reports that one reason for the delay was supposedly a lukewarm response from wealthy buyers toward luxury electric vehicles, and points to weak sales of the electric Mercedes G-Wagen and similar pressure at Porsche and Audi. Bloomberg’s summary frames the Range Rover Electric’s price as a test of wealthy buyers’ appetite for a battery-powered SUV. There is at least early interest, though it is not the same as sales. Ars Technica reports that JLR said it has 80,000 “hand-raisers,” half from North America, with 70% new to the brand and 20% already owning an EV. Ars cautions that only some portion of those expressions of interest will translate into purchases. Who benefits: JLR benefits if Range Rover’s brand equity converts expressions of interest into orders, especially in North America, where Ars Technica says half of the 80,000 hand-raisers are located. Buyers seeking an electric luxury SUV with Range Rover’s traditional comfort and off-road positioning also get a factory-backed option. Who's exposed: JLR is exposed to the same soft luxury-EV demand that WIRED says has pressured models from Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi. The high UK price also narrows the pool of buyers willing to pay for a battery-electric version of an already expensive SUV.