Merseyside Police have charged a man with fraud and dangerous driving after he claimed his Jaguar I-Pace ran out of control on motorways near Liverpool earlier this year.
Nathan Owen, 32, faces four charges including two counts of fraud by false representation following an extensive investigation into the March incident.
Owen made headlines when he called 999 claiming his electric Jaguar couldn’t respond to his inputs. He told emergency services the car had “gone rogue” and was speeding at 100mph between Manchester and Liverpool.
The call triggered a 30-minute emergency response across the M58, M57 and M62 motorways. Police cars eventually boxed in Owen’s vehicle and physically forced it to stop.
“The car literally just started speeding up,” Owen told reporters afterward. “I couldn’t press the brakes.”
He claimed the I-Pace suffered an electrical fault that left him helpless as speeds reached 100mph on busy motorways.
The incident sparked criticism of electric vehicles from skeptics who used Owen’s claims as evidence that EVs posed safety risks. No evidence emerged showing any fault with the Jaguar’s electric powertrain systems.
Police arrested Owen shortly after the March 6 incident and have now filed formal charges.
Police Investigation Results
A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed the charges against Owen of Prestatyn, North Wales.
“On the afternoon of Wednesday March 6, officers from the force’s roads policing unit were called to help stop a vehicle safely on the eastbound carriageway after the driver called 999 reporting his vehicle was out of control and he could not brake.”
The charges include:
- Dangerous driving
- Causing a public nuisance
- Two counts of fraud by false representation
Owen’s case sparked broader discussions about electric vehicle safety and reliability. The I-Pace uses regenerative braking systems that can feel different from traditional cars, but includes standard friction brakes as backup.
Owen will appear in court on August 13.
The incident highlighted how quickly misinformation about electric vehicles can spread, particularly when dramatic claims receive media attention before investigations conclude.
