Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has installed six advanced “hairpin winding machines” at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, marking a significant step toward improving the efficiency of electric motor production. The new machines, which produce components offering up to 25% higher efficiency than traditional methods, will play a crucial role in the company’s shift toward all-electric vehicle production.
This move is part of JLR’s ongoing transformation of its Wolverhampton facility, which had been manufacturing petrol and diesel engines since its opening in 2014. In 2023, the company officially renamed the plant next to the M54 as the “Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre,” as it transitions to producing electric powertrains and batteries.
The site will be integral to the upcoming launch of the Range Rover Electric, with batteries and electric drive units for the new model being produced there later this year.
“We’ve installed six brand new hairpin machines at our Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton as we continue to prepare our manufacturing facilities to produce electric powertrains and batteries,” a company spokesperson stated. “Automating certain parts of the production process ensures even higher quality and consistency—making hairpin machines the go-to choice for modern high-performance EVs like the upcoming Range Rover Electric.”
JLR invested more than £350 million in 2024 to install equipment for the production of battery packs and electric drive units in Wolverhampton. The company is also planning to expand its facilities at the i54 plant by 6,500 square feet, pending approval from South Staffordshire Council. The expansion will provide additional capacity for manufacturing and enhance production efficiency.
The company recently launched a recruitment drive, seeking up to 100 new electrification roles at the Wolverhampton plant, as well as 50 additional positions at its Solihull site, to support the transition to electric vehicle production.
“The precision and efficiency of hairpin winding technology are game changers for EV manufacturing,” said Satyender Bidesi, Manufacturing Engineering Manager at JLR. “We’re leveraging this innovation to create world-class electric powertrains that deliver performance, sustainability, and luxury in equal measures. This incredible progress is thanks to our team’s unwavering hard work in implementing this new technology.”
As part of its commitment to an all-electric future, JLR’s ongoing investments in innovation and expansion demonstrate the company’s dedication to advancing the performance and sustainability of its electric vehicles.