Electrified Future Promises Most Capable Jeeps Ever

Jeep's Future is Electric

On the heels of introducing the future Jeep 4xe, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) lineup at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Christian Meunier told Autocar that Jeep is aiming to be “the greenest, most sustainable SUV company in the world." Until now, Jeep has been slow to jump on the electrification train, but it sounds like the automaker is ready to make big moves. See what Jeep has in store as it charges toward its electric future...

First Stop, Plug-ins

While we wait for the first all-electric powered Jeep, PHEV versions of Renegade, Compass, and Wrangler were in the midst of cold-weather testing in Sweden as of March. Meunier says PHEV Jeep technology will offer an approximately 31-mile range of zero emissions and remove range anxiety.

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PHEV Power

Jeep has yet to release official power figures, but Wrangler will probably use a version of the 260-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 out of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The Pacifica Hybrid V-6 is paired to two electric motors and a 16 kWh battery. Meunier says the Wrangler 4xe PHEV could potentially do 0 to 60 mph in six seconds. For the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models, a version of the 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors and battery pack seems reasonable.

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Next Stop, All-Electric

Jeep is already looking beyond the 4xe PHEV models introduced at CES. Autocar reports that an 'adventure' model that leverages the benefits of an all-electric powertrain could already be in the works; instant torque to individual wheels, possibly from individual motors at all four corners, would better help drivers navigate difficult terrain efficiently and effectively.

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Outdoor Friendly

Aside from the powertrain perks, an all-electric Jeep would help reduce obtrusive noise pollution, while simultaneously increasing functionality thanks to increased high-voltage batteries. With the added batteries, an all-electric Jeep could help power a plethora of off-road or camping equipment in the most desolate overland grounds.

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Global Production

Jeep is planning for its 4xe lineup to go global. Meunier's vision of plug-in hybrid technology is to reduce fleet-wide emissions while allowing motorists to cruise into zero-emissions zones in cities like London, in addition to avoiding hefty regulation fines in highly-regulated Europe and China. Further, Autocar notes Meunier sees the US market moving to electrification faster than people predict, paving the way for the large-scale roll-out of electrification. While Meunier's optimism of Jeep's electrification plans is commendable, the consumer reception of hybrid and battery-powered Jeeps remains to be seen. Will they be easy to repair on trails? Can electric Jeeps forge through deep waters? Seems like the answers to these questions will be answered soon. Stay tuned.

>>Join the conversation about the electrified Jeeps right here in our forum.

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