Luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is preparing to make its debut in India's electric vehicle market, with its first electric models expected to arrive in 2027. The upcoming lineup is expected to include the Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric. The company is also planning to introduce its new Jaguar GT in India next year.

JLR India Managing Director and CEO Rajan Amba said India is a large and rapidly growing market, making it an important opportunity for the company. With demand for electric vehicles increasing, JLR believes this is the right time to enter the segment. The company currently does not offer any electric cars in its Indian portfolio, but the rising interest in premium and mainstream EVs has strengthened its expectations for the market.

JLR Will Initially Import Electric Cars

JLR plans to begin by importing its electric vehicle models from international markets and selling them in India. This approach will help the company understand customer preferences and evaluate demand before making further decisions about its EV business.

Rajan Amba said it is too early to predict how Indian customers will respond to the company's electric cars, as this will be JLR's first entry into the country's EV segment. However, the growing popularity of electric vehicles offers the company an opportunity to establish itself in the market.

Charging Infrastructure and Resale Value Remain Key Challenges

Despite the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in India, certain challenges continue to affect customer decisions. JLR has highlighted the limited availability of charging infrastructure and uncertainty around the resale value of used electric cars as two major concerns.

According to Rajan Amba, customers need confidence that they will have access to a reliable charging network and will be able to get a reasonable resale price when they eventually sell their vehicles. However, both areas are gradually improving, which could encourage more buyers to consider electric cars.

JLR Plans to Expand Its Retail Network to 40 Centres

Alongside its electric vehicle plans, JLR is also focusing on expanding its presence across India. The company aims to increase its retail network to 40 centres by the end of 2026, compared with 25 centres a year earlier.

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is also beginning to influence the company's business. Rajan Amba said JLR has witnessed increased demand for certain models following price reductions.

Additionally, the local manufacturing and assembly of Defender vehicles is expected to increase orders by approximately 20%. The company clarified that this estimate applies specifically to the Defender brand.

JLR also plans to pass on the cost savings generated through localisation to customers. With new electric models, an expanding retail network and greater localisation, the company is looking to strengthen its position in India's luxury car market.