Jaguar Land Rover intends to convert its Merseyside production plant into the British automotive company’s first all-electric facility as part of its £15bn electric vehicle (EV) investment strategy.
The first fully electric Range Rover SUV is due to be built in 2025.
Chief executive Adrian Mardell said: "Today I am proud to announce we are accelerating our electrification path, making one of our UK plants and our next-generation medium-size luxury SUV architecture fully electric.
"This investment enables us to deliver our modern luxury electric future, developing new skills, and reaffirming our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2039."
Knowsley Council told BBC it was a "major coup" for the local workforce and was delighted that the 3,700-strong Halewood workforce will be “spearheading” the group’s transition into all-electric production.
Jaguar also announced that the first of three reimagined modern luxury Jaguars will be a 4-door GT built in Solihull in the West Midlands.
It will have more power output than any previous Jaguar and a range of up to 700 kilometres (430 miles), with indicative pricing from £100,000.
All-electric Range Rover concept – Credit: Jaguar Land Rover
The Solihull facility will be renamed the ‘Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre’ and will focus on producing electric drive units and battery packs for Jaguar’s future vehicles.
Jaguar stated that its Castle Bromwich plant will specialise in creating bodywork for the next generation of electric cars. The company is currently considering various options for other areas of the Castle Bromwich site.
Jaguar only currently has one fully electric car in its lineup, the award-winning Jaguar I-Pace, which was built in Austria by a contract manufacturer.