SIR JIM Ratcliffe’s Ineos have revealed they are delaying the release of their first ever electric vehicle – just months after unveiling it.
The Ineos Fusilier SUV was initially expected to be produced in 2027 with a pure electric and plug-in hybrid motor to enter production.
Ineos Automotive, the 4×4 company of chemical magnate Ratcliffe, currently has just one model on its books – the Grenadier.
However, the Grenadier does come as a standard station wagon, Quartermaster (which is essentially a pick-up iteration), and utility wagon, all powered by either a petrol or diesel straight-six, with both sourced from BMW.
First produced in 2022, the company has seemingly been considering the development of a fully electric version of the Grenadier since its launch, with the Fusilier first unveiled back in February.
But now it appears enthusiasm for the project has waned.
In a statement, Ineos admitted weak consumer demand and uncertainty around government policies were two reasons behind the decision.
They said: “We are delaying the launch of the Ineos Fusilier for two reasons: reluctant consumer uptake of EVs and industry uncertainty around tariffs, timings and taxation.
“Charging infrastructure for EVs in most markets continues to grow and consumer confidence will match that, but for the industry to meet net-zero targets there needs to be long-term clarity from policymakers and a number of technology options available considering factors like raw materials, infrastructure and affordability.
“We are committed to bringing an EV to market not just because of legislation but because we want to. It is the right thing to do.
“But as a new small-volume manufacturer we can only produce vehicles that will sell.
“The Fusilier is an electric vehicle, but also provides the option of a range extender that uses a small low-emission petrol engine to charge the electric battery when external charging isn’t available.
“This low-emission solution for longer journeys or where charging is not possible would still be banned in both Europe and the UK in 2035, if not earlier in the UK should Labour be elected into government this week.”
Labour has pledged to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars if it wins the General Election – overturning Rishi Sunak‘s decision to delay the moratorium on gas-guzzling vehicles.
Elsewhere, a car expert has revealed five 4x4s that can be bought right now for less than £5,000 – including an iconic model with a “super-roomy interior and a huge boot.”
And a Land Rover that Jeremy Clarkson says “looks expensive” with features “lifted from the Range Rover” is now less than £3,000.
The Grenadier is largely seen as a tribute to the Land Rover Defender – with the idea behind the motor born from a conversation Sir Jim Ratcliffe had with pals in a pub around the demise of the iconic 4×4.
Sir Jim even approached Jaguar Land Rover about the possibility of buying the tooling to continue production of the original model – after it ceased production in January 2016 – but they declined.
Named after the Grenadier pub in Belgravia, central London, Sir Jim came up with the idea of building a utilitarian 4×4 as the spiritual successor to the Defender.
Amusingly, he is believed to have scribbled down plans for the motor on a beer mat.
