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An all-electric version of the new Jaguar XJ has been created in reaction to the emergence of zero-carbon zones in cities across the globe.

A senior insider told Autocar that Jaguar Land Rover envisages some of the world’s most important cities gradually introducing zero-emissions and zero-pollution zones. All vehicles unable to run purely on batteries would be banned from the area.

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And won't the generator emit co2 thus making the car also banned in zero-carbon zones?

bplus:

And won't the generator emit co2 thus making the car also banned in zero-carbon zones?

Yes..!

Presumably the idea would be to make sure your battery is fully charged before entering "the zone" but I have no idea how you would do this or how you would police it.

However, electric vehicle development is one area where Britain can still be a world leader (if we don't screw things up as usual), so I'm hopeful that something comes out of this project.

 This sounds a similar concept to a Chevy Volt with the engine running at optimised performance to charge the batteries when required. 57 mpg from an XJ, can't knock it and 99% of time, in normal driving, top speed is irrelevant.

Definitely a step in the right direction. We all love the sound of a V8 or a V12 at full chat but at some point the oil is going to run out. The electric motor is well suited to the type of motoring that most limos are used for with quiet running and instant low speed torque.

As ever the legislators take a broad brush approach rarely taking account of the facts or the practical implications, it was entirely possible for instance to buy an LPG/petrol bi-fuel car with its BIK tax advantages and never actually put LPG in the tank, or even enter the London congestion zone for free in an LS600h and hoon about doing maybe 15mpg. The beauty of this Jaguar is that it appears to achieve the aim of significantly reduced CO2 emissions while still being true to old grace, space and pace strap line.

When will it be launched?

I was thinking the exact same thing, In London and other cities as you said top speed is totally irrelevant.

For a whole bunch of reasons, this seems like a fantastic idea.

Well done, Jaguar & Lotus.