Land Rover is planning to introduce an all-electric version of its iconic off-roader as part of a mid-life refresh
- EV to be offered alongside petrol and diesel cars
- Range of up to 300 miles
- Due to arrive by 2025
Despite featuring relatively efficient powertrains – some with varying forms of hybrid assistance – none of the large and luxurious Land Rover range can really be considered efficient, nor eco friendly. However, the British brand’s most rugged model, the Land Rover Defender, is expected to receive a mid-life update soon, bringing with it the option of an all-electric powertrain.
The electric Land Rover Defender is due to arrive in the next couple of years and shall signal a switch in platform from the current car’s D7 Premium Lightweight Architecture, to Land Rover’s new MLA Flex framework. This setup already underpins the new full-size Range Rover, as well as the smaller Range Rover Sport and can support both combustion engine and full-electric powertrains. This means that despite the impending arrival of an all-electric Defender, there will also be revised petrol and diesel models, too.
The electric Defender is set to also be joined by plug-in versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, too. Despite these cars’ large size, Land Rover insiders claim the target is a driving range of around 300 miles between charges. This would put the electric Defender and its siblings quite a bit behind rivals such as the Mercedes EQS SUV which boasts a range of up to 365 miles – although that car won’t have the same off-road capability as the offerings from Land Rover.
Speaking of off-road capability, this is something that could be further improved by the Defender’s switch to electric power. Utilising an electric powertrain offers greater control over each individual wheel, allowing the car’s internal computers to more accurately distribute the right amount of power to provide the maximum amount of grip when traversing difficult terrain.
Despite the change in platform, the new Land Rover Defender is likely to look very much the same as the outgoing car. This would be similar to how the smaller Discovery Sport swapped its underpinnings back in 2019 in order to provide more scope for electrification, without a drastic change in design.
We may see some visual differences, however. Expect to see some mildly redesigned LED exterior lights as well as perhaps a handful of new paint and alloy wheel designs. Electric Defenders will likely adopt blocked off grilles, smoother wheel arches and model-specific wheels, all designed to improve efficiency. We also expect new Defenders to get Land Rover’s latest infotainment system – as seen in the latest Range Rover models – featuring a larger centre touchscreen and a revised digital instrument cluster.
While the prospect of a plug-in Defender may be exciting to many, it’s still a little way off. Land Rover is likely to launch all electric versions of its flagship Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models before we see the Defender get its switch in platform. Therefore, a reveal date of sometime in 2025 seems likely, with the new car possibly going on sale in early 2026.
Keyword: Electric Land Rover Defender coming soon with 300-mile range