Jaguar not changing EV gear unit after boy crushed

Jaguar Land Rover has said it will not be changing the design of its I-Pace model after it was involved in the death of a boy from Devon.

Alfie Tollett, seven, was crushed by a Jaguar I-Pace as the driver attempted to park on Wembury Road in Plymstock on 19 February 2023.

Assistant Coroner for Devon Deborah Archer acknowledged a "number of errors" had been made by the driver but suggested an additional "intermediary step" within the gear transmission unit when putting the electric vehicle in reverse could prevent similar incidents.

A response by the manufacturer said: "The current design of the Jaguar I-Pace gear transmission control unit and alert strategy meet all legal requirements for vehicle safety and that no changes are required."

The official response began by expressing its "deepest sympathies" to the family and friends of Alfie.

The incident happened when Alfie and his family had been to Plymstock Albion Rugby Football Club.

The coroner's report said Alfie was at the back of his father's car, changing his boots, when the collision happened.

According to the coroner's report, the driver of the Jaguar had been attempting to park and after mounting the pavement, he attempted to select reverse and did not look down to check his selection, relying instead on "feel".

The car began moving forwards and collided with another vehicle, a VW van.

The driver continued to accelerate, trapping Alfie between the van and his dad's Kia which was parked in front of the VW.

Following the inquest in August, the coroner explained: "These errors occurred as a result of there being no intermediary step within the Jaguar I-Pace being necessary to put the car into drive/reverse other than pressing a button.

"In the police officer's opinion if there had also been a lever or something similar present in the vehicle that needed to be engaged before a button was pressed this may have alerted [the driver] to the fact that he had pushed the incorrect button."

Addressing JLR, the coroner said: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."

The response from Jaguar Land Rover said: "The Jaguar I-Pace has achieved the highest safety rating of five stars from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

"In reference to the type of gear transmission control unit used in the Jaguar I-Pace, other manufacturers use a similar type of gear selector across many marques and models."

It added: "Upon review of all information and evidence in the case, including the data extracted from the vehicle and independent vehicle safety testing, it is clear that the current design of the Jaguar I-Pace gear transmission control unit and alert strategy meet all legal requirements for vehicle safety and that no changes are required."

The company's response added: "Gear selection in the Jaguar I-Pace utilises all of the pertinent human senses; touch sight and hearing."

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