The BBC is preparing to relaunch Top Gear in 2028 with a renewed focus on electric vehicles, aiming to revitalize the long-running motoring show after a hiatus prompted by presenter Freddie Flintoff’s serious crash during filming in 2022. BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s production arm, is currently developing plans for the revival as interest persists in the program’s distinctive blend of automotive coverage.

Jeremy Clarkson, the show’s former host who left in 2015, emphasized the potential for a “ballsy” revival centered on electric car reviews. While he acknowledged he personally would be unlikely to watch the reboot, Clarkson noted there is a gap in the market for informed coverage of electric vehicles, especially with new models emerging from manufacturers in China. He suggested a shift back to a consumer-focused format akin to a televised version of What Car magazine, a move he described as bold given the show's evolution into a largely entertainment-based production during his tenure.

The reboot is expected to feature a trio of presenters combining established personalities with respected figures from the automotive community, as the BBC reportedly intends to avoid relying on social media influencers—a contrast with the streaming rival, Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour. The latter will return later this year with a new presenting lineup, following the 2024 departure of its original hosts Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. The new presenters include Thomas Holland and James Engelsman of the YouTube channel Throttle House, alongside popular trainspotter Francis Bourgeois, whom Clarkson has praised.

Current Top Gear hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, who worked with Flintoff on the show’s previous series, are not expected to return. McGuinness recently took on a new role as presenter of a revived version of the snooker game show Big Break, alongside Stephen Hendry.

BBC insiders confirm the previous series already incorporated electric vehicle reviews, which are anticipated to play a prominent role in the upcoming Top Gear reboot. Sources highlighted the appeal of electric cars’ rapid acceleration, while acknowledging the broader context of growing consumer concerns about charging infrastructure and the transition away from petrol-powered vehicles.

A BBC Studios spokesperson reaffirmed the enduring popularity of the Top Gear brand across digital, publishing, and international platforms. The studio indicated ongoing efforts to leverage the show’s iconic status by exploring new ways to engage audiences through the forthcoming revival.