Slowing market: Ineos delays Fusilier EV

INEOS Automotive has announced that it will delay the launch of its forthcoming Fusilier battery electric and range-extender SUV, citing slowing demand and regulatory concerns.

The smaller sibling to the Grenadier four-wheel drive – which made its motor show debut in February of this year – had been expected to launch in 2027 but has now been placed on hold indefinitely.

With the range-extender option to be banned in both Britain (by 2030) and the European Union (by 2035) the company made the decision to await what it described as “long-term clarity” from policy makers before investing in the electrified model.

“We are delaying the launch of the Fusilier for two reasons: reluctant consumer uptake of EVs, and industry uncertainty around tariffs, timing, and taxation,” the company said in a statement.

“There needs to be long-term clarity from policymakers (to meet net zero targets).”

The announcement comes as something of a retraction from Ineos Automotive which said previously it was “fully in” when it came to low-emissions vehicles.

Ineos Automotive had planned to develop the Fusilier in conjunction with supplier Magna International, the vehicle to be built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.

A spokesperson for Magna Steyr told Bloomberg that Ineos Automotive had confirmed the decision to delay the Fusilier until further notice.

Initally shown in London and simultaneously at the Geneva Motor Show, the five-door Ineos Fusilier was to offer four-wheel drive capabilities and both battery electric and range-extender hybrid drivelines. The electrified offering was to pave the way for an eventual hydrogen fuel-cell offering planned for future models.

Speaking at the February event, Ineos CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “As we developed this vehicle, we quickly concluded that in order to move towards decarbonisation but continue making cars that consumers want to drive, we need a mix of powertrain technologies”.

“BEVs are perfect for certain uses: shorter trips and urban deliveries, but industry and governments need to have realistic expectations around other technologies that can help accelerate the necessary pace of change,” he added.

Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder described the brand’s third model announcement as “another significant milestone for Ineos Automotive, cementing our intent as an automotive manufacturer”.

“Like our full vehicle line-up, we are here for the long-haul,” she said in February.

This week’s decision certainly places question marks over the authenticity of that statement.