The 2026 Ineos EV promises endurance and off-road performance

In an era defined by revolutionary shifts in the automotive industry, Ineos Automotive steps up its game with an announcement that dares to redefine the landscape of off-road, electric vehicles. The company recently confirmed some tantalizing details about their upcoming Ineos EV. Set for launch in 2026, this green off-roader promises a robust range of more than 249 miles, alongside a claim of being 'unstoppable' off-road. Quite a juicy bone to throw to the car enthusiasts, isn't it?

CEO Lynn Calder, the captain steering the Ineos Automotive ship, clarified that this EV off-roader is on schedule for its 2026 release. Interestingly, it won't have any familial connection to the Grenadier Station Wagon or the Quartermaster, both of which strut around on a sturdier ladder-frame chassis. Instead, the yet-to-be-named Ineos EV will flaunt a skateboard-style, monocoque platform, which apparently is the 'only way to go' when morphing a Grenadier-style 4x4 into an electric vehicle.

You might wonder why Ineos didn't just electrify the Grenadier. Well, they considered it, but in the end, they opted to stick with an all-combustion powertrain for the off-road wagon and the pickup truck. Why? Well, because the ladder frame apparently doesn't play nicely with a hefty EV battery.

When owning an electric pickup or SUV, you might have to deal with some challenges, primarily the notorious long distances you need to travel. Ineos is aware of this, acknowledging that the current EVs are not quite ready to cater to the needs of those who frequently tow, which significantly drains an EV's driving range.

The 2026 Ineos EV promises to be a game-changer, and it's rumored to be 'unbeatable' off-road, a claim you'd certainly want to test! Its appeal doesn't end there; the Ineos EV is being designed with broad market appeal, geared towards workhorse duties and offering an unprecedented level of off-road durability. Sounds like just the thing for landowners and the agricultural industry who are warming up to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, doesn't it?

The development of the Ineos EV is a collaborative effort with Magna Steyr. You might know them as the folks who had a hand in the Grenadier's development. They are almost certainly basing the Ineos EV on the Austrian company's FM29 platform, a foundation already used in the Fisker Ocean EV, and a couple of Chinese electric SUVs.

As Ineos Automotive sets the stage for the launch of its 2026 EV, it looks like it will have to face growing competition. At the moment the only really off-road focused electric SUVs are the Rivian R1S and Munro Mk1. Other electric SUVs are capable offroaders but none is really built for it. We’d have to look to China for the likes of the 1,000 hp Mengshi M-Terrain or the monstrous YangWang U8 with even more power. But then VW is reviving the Scout brand as well in this sector and in Europe former SsangYong offers electric Torres. It’s still a long time to wait for 2026 and a lot of new players can join this promising sector - great for customers, not so rosy for Ineos.

Via