- The King personally bought the Jaguar EV with a unique ‘Loire Blue’ paint job
- It is officially the first fully electric car used by the Royal Family.
- The eco-friendly car will sell for up to £70,000 at a March auction at Ascot.
In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the first to own a Royal Eco, a Jaguar I-Pace purchased personally by King Charles III will be auctioned at Ascot Racecourse next month.
Always an advocate of environmental causes and a well-known car enthusiast, King Charles personally purchased this Jaguar electric car in 2018.
That made it the royal household’s first all-electric car.
The top-of-the-range I-Pace EV400 HSE, finished in ‘Loire Blue’ at the King’s request, will be sold by Historics Auctioneers on Saturday 2 March.
King Charles III’s former Jaguar I-Pace will be auctioned on March 2 at Ascot Racecourse. It is estimated to fetch between £55,000 and £70,000
The I-Pace was personally purchased by the King in this exclusive ‘Loire Blue’ and was used by His Majesty to drive members of the royal family.
With only two new owners (the King being one of them), it has just 35,000 miles on the clock and is in perfect condition.
The winning bidder will not only get their hands on the first real green car, but will also own the only green I-Pace in the world.
The interior is also finished in a sumptuous contrasting leather called Light Oyster Windsor.
Her Majesty originally paid £60,000 for the luxury all-wheel drive electric vehicle, which is now estimated to fetch £55,000-£70,000 at the auction open to the public.
Almost as decorated as its former actual owner, the I-Pace has a rich heritage: it has won 62 international awards, including UK Car of the Year, European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year.
With a keen eye for engines, it’s no surprise that the King was one of the first people in Britain to own an I-Pace.
He also has a 1965 Aston Martin DB6 Volante that runs on bioethanol left over from wine.
The I-Pace electric SUV has an electric range of between 252 and 273 miles.
Seen at public events, this I-Pace was used between 2018 and 2020 by the then Prince of Wales and was the first fully electric car of the royal house.
His Majesty has long been an ecological advocate and a pioneer in the adoption of modern, environmentally friendly methods of transport.
Spotted in 2018 with his I-Pace, the car joins King Charles’ impressive car collection that includes a 1965 Aston Martin DB6 Volante that runs on bioethanol from recycled wine.
Before handing over the car, King Charles installed a fast charger at his official London residence, Clarence House, and then proceeded to drive Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family around in this high-spec model.
In December 2020, Jaguar North Oxford sold it with just 3,000 miles on the clock to current owner Karen French from Bampton, Oxfordshire.
Kept in pristine condition, he explained how fortuitous his purchase was: ‘This I-Pace was exactly what I was looking for and it was practically around the corner.
‘Only when I agreed to buy it did I discover its extraordinary story – I was absolutely thrilled. After driving it over 30,000 miles, around New Year I decided it was time for a change.’
The star lot among 180 excellent classic and collector cars, the I-Pace is a brilliant piece of electric and royal history, and is expected to attract a lot of attention.
This sale comes after news that the UK used car market is thriving, thanks in part to the influx of second-hand electric vehicles.
The car has a rich royal provenance, as it was used to transport members of the royal family on public appearances.
Historics head of auctions Mathew Priddy emphasized the enduring value of the collector car, saying: “We are delighted to bring this royal icon to auction. It is a once-in-a-lifetime piece of electric motor history.
“With the Jaguar I-Pace being discontinued ahead of Jaguar’s relaunch in 2025, this will undoubtedly remain the most significant example, which will be reflected in its increasing value.”
Since the King is frequently photographed on royal engagements exiting this I-Pace, the next owner will have a great ownership history to pass down to his grandchildren one day.