Jaguar Revives the E-Type in an E-lectric Fashion
The Jaguar E-Type electric conversion, known as the E-Type Zero, is Jaguar Classic's answer to a question purists feared someone would ask: what if the most beautiful car ever made ran on electricity? Enzo Ferrari himself called the E-Type the most beautiful car in the world and owned one. Jaguar's response to electrification is not to abandon that legacy but to preserve it: the E-Type Zero conversion is fully reversible, changes nothing visually, and uses technology derived from the Formula E programme and the I-Pace to produce 295 bhp from a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
What Is the Jaguar E-Type Zero?
The E-Type Zero is an electric conversion programme run by Jaguar Classic at its Classic Works facility in Coventry, UK. Existing E-Type owners can send their car in for conversion, or Jaguar Classic will restore and convert a car to order. The battery pack occupies the same footprint as the original XK straight-six engine and gearbox, so the car's proportions and cockpit dimensions remain identical. There is no visual modification to the bodywork, interior, or exterior trim. Per the official Jaguar Classic announcement, the conversion is fully reversible: the original drivetrain can be reinstalled at any time.
Specifications: Power, Range and Charging
The electric drivetrain delivers 220 kW (295 bhp), with the single-speed electric motor replacing the original gearbox. The 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offers a real-world range of around 170 miles on a full charge, with a 0 to 62 mph time of 5.5 seconds. Recharging from empty takes six to seven hours on a standard home charger. Notably, the E-Type Zero is actually around 50 kg lighter than the original petrol car despite the added battery weight, because modern lithium cells are denser and lighter than the original fuel, cooling and ancillary systems they replace. According to Motoring Research, the driving character remains remarkably close to the original, with linear power delivery that suits the E-Type's long-travel suspension and near-50/50 weight distribution.
Royal Debut and Public Reaction
The E-Type Zero made its public debut at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018, where it was used as the wedding car. That visibility, paired with the reversible engineering and zero visual compromise, generated an overwhelmingly positive reaction. It demonstrated that electrification could be done without destroying a classic's character or collectability. The conversion was not forced nostalgia: it was engineered with enough respect for the original that even committed petrolheads found it hard to object.
The Case For and Against an Electric Classic
The 4.2-litre straight-six that powered the original E-Type is one of the great automotive sounds: a rising, mechanical howl that no electric motor can replicate. That loss is real. But the E-Type Zero offers something the original cannot: immediate torque from standstill, zero maintenance oil changes or carburettor tuning, and the ability to use the car daily without the anxiety of a 60-year-old fuel system. The reversibility clause means the owner loses nothing permanently. For weekend drivers who want the icon without the upkeep, the E-Type Zero makes a compelling case.
For those drawn to electrified classics and cutting-edge electric vehicles, TheArsenale carries the Jaguar D-Type and the full range of electric and hybrid vehicles in the TheArsenale Electric collection. The broader TheArsenale cars collection spans everything from modern hypercars to design-led restomods for collectors who refuse to choose between beauty and performance.
