JLR to utilise lightweight composites in future electric vehicles

Jaguar Land Rover is preparing for future electric vehicles with advanced lightweight composite research that will help deliver increased range, greater performance and a more dynamic drive.

Dubbed the Tucana project, the four-year programme is designed to make the U.K. a world leader in low-carbon technology by helping prevent 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions between 2023 and 2032.

This will be achieved by accelerating mainstream use of electric vehicles and making vehicles lighter to both decrease tailpipe emissions and reduce energy consumption of electrified powertrains.

The research will allow Jaguar Land Rover to develop lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures by replacing aluminium and steel with composites capable of handling the increased torque generated by high-performance batteries, while improving efficiency and reducing CO₂ impact.

Jaguar Land Rover aims to increase vehicle stiffness by 30%, cut weight by 35kg and further refine the crash safety structure through the strategic use of tailored composites, such as carbon fibre. Reducing the vehicle body weight will allow the fitting of larger batteries with increased range without impacting CO₂ emissions.

Jaguar Land Rover expects to develop a fleet of prototype Tucana test vehicles by 2022.