Land Rover’s electrification journey continues with a bold statement: the upcoming Range Rover Electric has successfully completed its second round of extreme winter testing in the Arctic.
In the icy landscapes of Arjeplog, Sweden—deep within the Arctic Circle—prototypes of the luxury electric SUV were pushed to their limits across frozen lakes and snow-covered tracks. The result? A confident display of advanced thermal management, intelligent traction systems, and hallmark Range Rover refinement, even in sub-zero temperatures.
Extreme Cold without difficulties for the Range Rover Electric
The test program, designed to evaluate the vehicle’s performance under real-world winter conditions, included more than 70,000 kilometers driven across ice and snow. Central to this round of trials was ThermoAssist, a new thermal management system developed to optimize energy use in cold climates.
Even at temperatures as low as -10°C, ThermoAssist can recover heat to warm both the cabin and powertrain, reducing heating-related energy consumption by up to 40%. This means that passengers enjoy a warm, comfortable cabin without sacrificing driving range or extending charging times—critical features for electric mobility in colder regions.
One of the standout features tested in the Arctic was the one-pedal driving mode. This setup allows the driver to accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal, offering intuitive control and improved efficiency. On steep gradients and mixed-traction surfaces, the system proved both smooth and capable.
Integrated with the brand’s Terrain Response system, one-pedal driving goes a step further by including automatic Hill Hold, eliminating the need for brake input during uphill starts. Energy regeneration during deceleration not only boosts efficiency but also enhances control—vital when navigating slippery terrain.
Intelligent Traction and Adaptive Stability
Stability in snowy and icy conditions depends heavily on power delivery, and Range Rover Electric meets this challenge with its IDD (Intelligent Driveline Dynamics) system. IDD can redirect torque between axles with millisecond precision—just 50 milliseconds, to be exact—offering quicker responses than traditional combustion-based systems.
Complementing this is a double-chamber air suspension system, which adapts to surface irregularities and varying loads to keep the vehicle stable and composed. Whether traversing rough snowpack or cruising along icy stretches, the system minimizes body roll and enhances ride comfort.
At the heart of the Range Rover Electric is a state-of-the-art 117 kWh battery pack built on an 800V architecture. Designed in-house by JLR, the battery uses 344 prismatic cells arranged in two layers to ensure optimal energy density, fast charging, and long-range capability.
This advanced powertrain is housed in a reengineered body structure that combines high-strength laminated steel with cast aluminum components. The result is a chassis that is both stiffer and better balanced—attributes that contribute to agile handling and secure high-speed cruising, all while maintaining the serene luxury the brand is known for.
