Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that the electric versions of its flagship Range Rover and sporty Range Rover Sport will roll out in India in the second half of 2027, arriving as fully imported, or CBU, units.
The company has already set up local production lines for the petrol‑powered Range Rover and its Sport variant. In fact, the two models were among the brand’s top‑selling SUVs in the 2026 financial year, with the Defender accounting for over 80% of total sales.
Why stick to imports for the EVs? The India‑UK free‑trade agreement offers no duty relief on electric vehicles for the first five years, so JLR would not benefit from lower tariffs by assembling locally. That, paired with the fact that both EVs share the MLA‑Flex platform and could be built on the same line, makes the decision a curious one.
Martin Limpert, Range Rover’s global managing director, said the brand wants to “test the market first, see how it responds, and then decide” on local assembly. The focus is on gauging demand and refining the powertrain strategy before committing to a plant in India.
For buyers, the import status means the electric SUVs will carry the same premium price tag as their combustion‑engine cousins, with no cost advantage from local manufacturing. However, the launch adds a fully electric option to the premium segment, potentially opening doors for those looking to offset the high purchase price with lower running costs and a greener footprint.
Keep an eye on the 2027 launch window: the first half of the year will likely see pricing, battery range, and charging‑infrastructure details surface. That information will be the real test of whether the electric Range Rover and Sport can compete with the likes of Tesla and other domestic EV makers in India’s premium segment.