Overland-E today announced its latest model, the Generation 2, an all-electric off-roader with a claimed range of 750 miles (1,207 km) that’s designed to go anywhere.
The company envisions creating two Gen 2 models. One will be an eye-catching, street-legal vehicle that features a refined interior for the city while the other is better-suited to flying across the desert. Both Gen 2 prototypes are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch the Gen2. We’ve got a fantastic team together and we are looking forward to getting the vehicle built,” said Arron Rawding, CEO of Overland-E.
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Details regarding the electric powertrain and who will provide it remain unclear but the company’s first-generation vehicle, the MK1, was based on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis and engine. The design that defined that off-roader wound up inspiring the new Gen2.
“We also are very keen to sell the vehicles B2B to vehicles such as the military but also participate in motorsport, especially in the United States where I recognize that off-road, desert racing is a major sport,” said Rawding. “Having access to advanced EV tech is a hugely important element in ensuring that Overland-E will become a sustainable, net-zero business and we take on board that traditional fossil fuels will be banned from 2030.”
The company is backed by Pario Ventures, a venture capital fund based in London, New York, and Brussels that has also invested in such EV manufacturers as Rivian, Sono Motors, Atlis Motor Vehicles, and more.
“It’s exciting to see the progress the team is making. The Gen2 vehicles were inspired by the original VW buggy vehicles that we built, but we recognized that things move on in life and that we have to adapt,” said David Murray-Hundley, CEO of Pario Ventures. “I am also excited that elements of this vehicle will be built and manufactured in the UK but also because we are trying to remain net zero that we will have to manufacture in local markets like the US.”
Overland-E expects to start producing the Gen2 in June of 2023 with production bases in both the U.K. and the U.S. The company is looking for more backers as part of a crowd-funding campaign.
