Feature

THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - PANEL DEBATE

Electric cars may be the future, but what will it take for us to switch on? Manufacturers are pouring millions into developing new electric models, but how can we get consumers excited by electric power ‑ in the same way there's a passion for the exhaust sound and induction roar of a V8 petrol engine? Can we create electric enthusiasts from petrol‑heads?

HOST: Justin Webb ‑ Broadcaster and journalist

Mai Ikuzawa ‑ Car lover and creative specialist

KT Tunstall ‑ Musician

Guido Reinking ‑ Automotive analyst/commentator

Jonny Smith ‑ Broadcast/ motoring journalist/ electric car enthusiast

Richard Bruce ‑ Head of OLEV

Ian Callum ‑ Jaguar Design Director

JAGUAR REVEALS THE I-PACE CONCEPT - STUDIO EXTERIOR
JAGUAR REVEALS THE I‑PACE CONCEPT ‑ STUDIO EXTERIOR

Watch the edited highlights of the electric switch debate below

TECH FEST 2017 - THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - EDIT

THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - JONNY SMITH
THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - JONNY SMITH

Electrification is front and centre of Jaguar Land Rover’s future ‑ but it needs government, academia and business to bolster infrastructure and progress.

It’s an educational process. We’ll be weaning ourselves off fuel" ‑ Jonny Smith, motoring journalist, broadcaster

KT Tunstall

It depends where you live. It’s a very different experience having an electric car in California. There are charging stations all up and down the state ‑ singer‑songwriter, KT Tunstall.

THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - KT TUNSTALL
THE ELECTRIC SWITCH ‑ KT TUNSTALL

“It’s a different experience having an electric car in California. There are charging stations up and down the state” ‑ KT Tunstall

THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - Mai Ikuzawa
THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - Mai Ikuzawa

I think the problem now is that we’re missing the fun in electric car driving. There’s too much worrying about where we’re going to stop to recharge ‑ Mai Ikuzawa, brand consultant, creative director and part‑time stunt driver.

“We’re missing the fun in electric car driving. There’s too much worrying about where we’re going to stop to recharge” ‑ Mai Ikuzawa

Dr Ralf Speth

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, arriving earlier at Central Saint Martins in the beautiful electric Jaguar I‑PACE.

The Electric Switch - CEO Dr Ralf Speth
The Electric Switch ‑ CEO Dr Ralf Speth

"Just because it doesn't make a sound doesn't make it devoid of character" ‑ Jonny Smith

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar. Talks about the serenity of driving an electric vehicle.

THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - IAN CALLUM

Watch the full version of the electric switch debate below

TECH FEST 2017 - THE ELECTRIC SWITCH - FULL VIDEO

What do you think? #JLRTechFest