Royal family’s first EV once owned by King Charles III hits auction – with model to be discontinued next year
THE first EV to be used by the Royal Family, which was owned by King Charles, has gone up for sale – just as the model is set to be discontinued.
The swish sedan is expected to attract an eye-watering price, thanks in no little part to its brush with the monarch.
The now-King, a well-known environmentalist, bought the car with his own money back when he was the Prince of Wales.
The decision made him the first member of the family to get their hands on a zero-emission vehicle.
The motor, a 2018 Jaguar I Pace, won the Car of the Year award in 2019, wowing judges with its comfort and economical use of power.
This particular example is unique for more than just its ownership history, being the only one to be finished in a Loire Blue colour.
It was specially repainted in the rare shade at the King’s request, having left the factory with an Eiger Grey paintjob.
He even had a Jaguar fast charger installed at Clarence House, his London residence, so that he could keep it topped up while in the capital.
During his ownership, the I Pace was used regularly by the monarch, including to ferry around other family members.
This included his mother, the late Queen, and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle.
However, despite its popularity with the royals, the model has found less favour with the wider public.
Indeed, Jag has announced that it will discontinue the I Pace from 2025, as it brings in a new range of EVs to fuel its net zero commitments.
The car is set to be sold by Historics Auctioneers in their auction at the Ascot Racecourse.
Its listing reads: “Purchased by HM King Charles III in April 2018 this range topping EV400 HSE Jaguar I-Pace was not only Jaguars first foray into Electric cars but the first electric car supplied to the Royal Family, of course given his passion for the environment Prince Charles at the time was the first to add the car to his collection.
“We are informed that in its time with the Royal Household not only did Charles drive the car but also the Queen and other royals such as Megan Markle have been photographed being driven in the I-Pace.
“Remaining in Royal ownership until December 2021 it was returned to Jaguar with a little under 3,000 miles on the clock.
“Not only has this been owned by HM King Charles III, purchased with his own money but it was the first electric car owned by the Royal Family, the Jaguar I-Pace is also due to be discontinued before Jaguars all electric relaunch in 2025 so thus will become more collectable as a car in its own right.”
The auction will take place on March 2, with the I Pace expected to fetch between £55,000 and £70,000.
That’s not half bad, considering it was only £50,000 when new.