Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new £250 million electric vehicle testing facility.
Called 'Future Energy Lab', the operation will host more than £40 million of technological innovations to enable the rapid testing of EVs, including electric test rigs, drive units and vehicle systems test cells.
There are also extreme-weather chambers capable of simulating conditions from -40°C up to 55°C. The move comes as the car marque prepares to launch nine pure electric luxury models by 2030.
The new 323,000 sq ft facility is housed at JLR's Engineering Centre in Whitley, Coventry, and forms part of its £15 billion investment to electrify its brands over the next five years.
The aim is to support the company in scaling up its next generation EVs, reducing the need to transport across other global test facilities during the development process.
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It will also reduce the emissions associated with sending fleets of prototype cars around the world for testing.
More than 200 EV engineers are now working at the facility and a further 150 roles will be created, with JLR planning a £22 million worth of additional investment at the Whitley operation.
JLR's next electric vehicle, the Range Rover BEV, is due out next year and is one of the models undergoing hours of testing on the new rigs.
Executive director of product engineering Thomas Mueller said: "Our vehicles are, and continue to be, at the forefront of an all-electric automotive future.
"This facility, a core component of our Reimagine strategy, is essential to providing the advanced testing capabilities that will be vital to the performance and reliability of the modern luxury vehicles we are proudly developing."
Chief engineer of powertrain test operations Oliver Boakes added: "Our operations at Whitley are at the heart of JLR so this test facility is another jewel in the crown of our move towards an all-electric future. This is a notable investment for the business and local economy."
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "We have been steadfast in our ambition to place our region right at the forefront of both automotive excellence and the transition to electric vehicle production. This brilliant news from JLR vindicates our ambition.
"With the opening of this new Future Energy Lab in Coventry, a multi-million pound investment in engineering, JLR are doubling down on their commitment to electrification in the months and years ahead.
"This announcement also means that local people stand to benefit hugely - equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in this sector and the employment opportunities to match."
