Jaguar's I-PACE proves that electric cars can work in SA
South Africa is currently stuck in the dilemma of wheather our automobile industry is big enough to have a demand for electric vehicles but given our country’s economic status and no additional support from the government, normalizing electric vehicles on the road is becoming a very strenuous task. Despite the obstacles that lie ahead, manufacturers like Jaguar are still driven towards building an electric future in South Africa. Enter the Jaguar I-PACE, a powerful fully electric SUV that produces an output of 294kW and 696 Nm of torque.
Experiencing this phenomenon first-hand was mind-boggling, to say the least. Its take-off is quick enough to leave your head planted against its headrest but not a single whisper of sound comes out of it. This electric beast sprints from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, making it quicker than many petrol vehicles you will ever encounter. There is just so much to admire about the I-PACE, from its gentle handling to its unconventional JaguarDrive transmission.
Jaguar has claimed that the I-PACE can cover a range of 470km once its 90kWh lithium-ion battery is fully charged. To make things even more impressive, its 0-100% charging time sits at just 24 hours. Those who are not able to get a fully charged battery can always rely on one of Jaguar’s 82 charging stations located across the country. When news emerged that Jaguar had invested R30 000 000 into building these charging stations, many thought it was down-right absurd. But at the end of the day, Jaguar is looking to play the long game and their vision to have electric vehicles normalized maybe a close reality.
Our encounter with the I-PACE may be brief but it is easy to spot that its futuristic appearance is equally matched up with its cabin. Finding the right balance between luxury and technology is a tough task but the I-PACE does it gracefully. Its Performance seats proved to be quite comfortable. Its high-tech features can be very intimidating at first, so doing your homework on what each function does may come in handy. To ensure further tranquillity, the I-PACE gets fitted with acoustic laminated glass, reducing any noises from entering the cabin making it one of the most peaceful SUV’s you may ever drive.
