Boutique British BEV Startups Have Hope and Seek GloryBoutique British BEV Startups Have Hope and Seek Glory

Lower bars to entry brought about by battery-electric-vehicle platforms are creating new opportunities for British entrepreneurs to put stakes in the ground in the global automotive industry.

Could it be the start of a renaissance of car companies in the U.K. after Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI and Rover were all sold to foreign owners?

Perseus, a new U.K.-headquartered premium BEV brand claims it has the resources available to launch vehicles in two years, despite uncertain sales growth rates ahead. Longbow is a brand dedicated to high-performance BEVs, with plans to launch two models.

Perseus, Son of Zeus

Market data [BG1] has consistently revealed a softening of demand for premium BEVs by consumers in Europe as cheaper Chinese state-subsidized products are offering far better value for money. Against those headwinds, Perseus breaks cover with a sneak peek of its upcoming luxury SUV model.

Perseus, presumably named after the winged-sandaled son of Zeus, is the brainchild of the company’s founder, Moroccan born entrepreneur Mohammed Yehya El Bakkali. He claims the SUV will come to market with the help of a soon-to-be named global automaker plus a collection of partnerships with Tier 1 suppliers.

The startup will use a proprietary BEV platform, with design and engineering handled by a “prominent” Italian studio for interior and exterior styling, pre-[BG2] concept development, prototyping, serial engineering, testing and validation requirements, the company says.

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Like other BEV startups, the company plans a direct-to-consumer sales model, combining an online platform with brand experience centers while also using the partner automaker’s European-wide service and maintenance network.

El Bakkali says the company’s leadership team will include former senior executives from Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, Bentley and Ineos Automotive.

“The launch of Perseus marks an exciting new chapter in global automotive innovation,” says El Bakkali. “Our ambition is clear: To create a premium value British EV brand that delivers emotionally captivating design, cutting-edge performance and a best-in-class intelligent AI-enabled and software-defined customer experience.”

Longbow Roadster

Taking A Shot With Longbow

Another start-up with dreams of success in the boutique BEV business is Longbow. Introduced at the Geneva auto show, the brand is pitched as “the first-ever British electric sports-car manufacturer.” That’s a claim that may or may not stand up to scrutiny.

The company’s first two BEVs are the Speedster and the Roadster.

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Longbow was founded in 2023 by Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott. Davey and Tapscott worked at Tesla during the development of the automaker’s original Roadster, followed by positions at Lucid and BYD. The third founder, Jenny Keisu, was the CEO of electric-boat developer X Shore.

Longbow’s first production model is the Apex, boasting a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of less than 2.5 seconds, a top speed exceeding 200 mph (322 km/h), and an estimated range of 400 miles (644 km ) per charge. Longbow says its BEVs emphasize track-ready capabilities.

The brand says its motto is “Celeritas Levitas,” or “the speed of lightness.” Known as “featherweight electric vehicles” or FEVs, the Apex weighs 2,193 lbs. (995 kg). The Speedster weighs 1,973 lbs. (895 kg) and can accelerate  to 62 mph  in 3.6 seconds. It has a range of 275 miles (443 km). Longbow calls “its cars the world’s first ‘proper’ all-electric sports cars for the modern enthusiast.”

Both Longbow models will be handbuilt in the U.K. and are expected to hit the market in 2026. The Speedster will start at a price of ₤84,995 ($92,600), including VAT, and only 150 will be built. That build schedule will include 10 Luminary First Edition and 25 Autograph Edition models.

Related:Toyota Adds All-new C-HR BEV for 2026

The Roadster’s starting price is ₤64,995 ($70,850), including VAT. It will include 50 Luminary First Edition models or 100 Autograph Editions. Reservations for both Longbow BEVs are available now.

The company says its lineup eventually will include a 4-door grand tourer, an SUV, and a hypercar.

The market for premium/luxury BEVs remains to be determined. Small-volume startups have come and gone. Price hikes due to tariffs when it comes to exporting to the U.S. aren’t usually a barrier to wealthy buyers who gravitate to these specialized vehicles. The challenge is to generate awareness and pre-orders building on whatever hype they can generate, and on the strength of the wealthy car-enthusiast owners’ networks.