After dipping their toes in the plug-in hybrid segments with electrified versions of the Renegade, Compass and Wrangler, Jeep is now looking to kick things up a notch by planning the launch of full-blown electric vehicles.
Several models are on the cards, reports Autocar, and one of them could be an extreme offering aimed at off-roading enthusiasts that will be capable of driving through the woods in complete silence, while also powering some of the camping gear at night.
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The brand’s global president, Christian Meunier, told the British publication that “there are so many things we need to bring together to make Jeep a modern, contemporary brand that will break through and sustain for the next 80 years”, and “that’s a big transition in our world”.
“There was a little evolution every year, but there’s a big revolution happening now. To make Jeep the greenest, most sustainable SUV company is a little bit of a challenge, but it’s the most exciting one”, he said, adding that there are “a lot of things we are working on, like BEV (battery electric vehicles).”
It’s impossible to tell what models would get the zero-emission treatment, but Jeep’s road map, released in mid-2018, showed that four electric SUVs were in the pipeline. We don’t know whether they’re still holding on to that plan (one can never, ever be sure about FCA’s product plans, even more so now that PSA might be involved), but if they are, don’t expect to see any dedicated EVs earlier than 2022.
Nevertheless, in pointing out the benefits of electric-power, Meunier hinted at the Wrangler. “Think about a Wrangler Rubicon, full electric or PHEV,” he said. “This is a car that’s going to do 0-60mph in six seconds, potentially, so you’re going to get acceleration you’re never going to get with an engine. You’re going to get the most capable Jeep ever.”
Meunier also added that he’s convinced that the U.S. market will move to electrification much faster than most people think these days. “You’ll see a lot of electrified products in the next few years,” he said.
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Jeep’s electrified game will grow to include 10 plug-in hybrids by 2022, which is also the year when we will see the new generation Renegade, alongside the return of the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer nameplate and other models. By next year, they wanted to make electrification options available across the entire lineup, alongside Level 3 autonomous driving.
The future does seem bright for Jeep, but in your opinion, what models deserve the BEV treatment?
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