Electric vehicles are all the rage these days. With the increased environmental consciousness and the push for more sustainable practices, many carmakers are investing in electric vehicles (EVs) to appeal to a wider range of consumers. But does Jeep have an electric vehicle?
Jeep currently doesn’t have an all-electric vehicle in its lineup. However, plans are underway for the first purely all-electric vehicle to be released in 2023. The model hasn’t been named yet, but it will be a compact SUV produced at the Stellantis’ Tychy, Poland factory.
This article will discuss what an electric vehicle is, Jeep’s plans for an electric car, the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, and a brief overview of Jeep’s current hybrid electric vehicles. Buckle up as we take a ride into the world of EVs!
What Is an Electric Vehicle?
An electric vehicle is a car powered by an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine. It uses a large battery pack to store electricity used to power the motor.
There are three main types of electric vehicles: all-electric vehicles (AEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
- All-electric: These are powered by electricity only and do not have a gasoline engine; the battery pack is the only source of power for the vehicle. The typical driving range is 150-400 miles.
- Hybrid electric vehicles: HEVs have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. These vehicles use gasoline to facilitate internal combustion while the regenerative braking charges the battery pack, meaning you can’t plug in an HEV to charge the battery. The electric motor helps power the vehicle and can kick in when needed for additional power and improved fuel efficiency.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: PHEVs are similar to HEVs, but they can be plugged into an external power source to recharge the battery pack. This allows the car to drive further on electric power only. Most PHEVs can go 20-40 miles (32-64 kilometers) on electric power only before switching to gasoline power once the battery is depleted.
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Jeep’s Plans for an Electric Vehicle
Being America’s iconic and most famous SUV brand, it’s no surprise that Jeep is planning to release an electric SUV. While Jeep has been slower to join the electric vehicle market compared to its rival automakers, the release of the electric SUV is a sign that Jeep is committed to moving forward with this new technology.
Stellantis hopes to roll out the first all-electric Jeep in 2023 as part of its plan to release “zero-emission” vehicles by 2025. The model isn’t known yet, but it’s clear that it won’t be based on the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. From the first images released, the company’s first EV is quite similar to the Compass, Jeep’s compact crossover SUV.
The new EV features a faux grille and a more protective cladding with an illuminated “e,” unlike the Compass. Beyond the exterior, not much is known about the all-electric Jeep. However, we know it will be produced at Stellantis’ Tychy, Poland factory, and will hit the market in early 2023.
Fortunately, that’s not the only electric Jeep in the works. Jeep will release an all-electric Wrangler in 2024, which is much more exciting news for Jeep enthusiasts. The all-electric Wrangler might have a feature that enables it to charge other EVs.
Here is a short YouTube video by Tafra Channel on Jeep’s first electric SUV:
A Brief Overview of Jeep’s Current Hybrid Electric Vehicles
While Jeep doesn’t currently offer any all-electric vehicles, they offer two hybrid electric models: the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. Both are plug-in hybrids that can be plugged into an electric outlet to recharge the battery. They offer excellent off-road capabilities and improved fuel efficiency, but that’s not all there is to them.
Let’s take a deeper look at each model.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the company’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Released in 2020, it combines the legendary off-road capabilities of the Wrangler with the benefits of electric power, resulting in a smoother, more efficient ride.
The Wrangler 4xe comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 17-kWh battery pack that produces up to 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid can run on a single charge for 21 miles (34 kilometers) on electric power alone.
It also delivers a fuel economy of 50 MPGe in electric mode. When the battery needs recharging, the gas engine will kick in automatically to generate electricity and recharge the battery.
Accelerating 0-60 mph (0-96 kph) in just six seconds, the Wrangler 4xe is one of the quickest vehicles in its class. It’s available in three drive modes – Electric Vehicle (EV), Hybrid, and E-save.
EV mode allows you to drive on electric power alone, while Hybrid mode automatically uses both the gas engine and electric motor to power the vehicle. E-save mode conserves the battery charge so that it can be used later.
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Grand Cherokee 4xe
Set to hit the market in Spring 2022, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is Jeep’s second plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Like the Wrangler 4xe, it offers excellent off-road capabilities and improved fuel efficiency, but with a more luxurious feel and smoother acceleration.
The Cherokee 4xe will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that combines with two electric motors to produce 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It will have a 25-mile (40-km) electric range and a fuel economy of 57 MPGe in electric mode. The Grand Cherokee’s 400-volt battery pack can be recharged in two hours using a Level 2 charger.
As with the Wrangler 4xe, the Grand Cherokee 4xe will offer three drive modes – Electric, Hybrid, and E-save. Electric mode operates on zero-emission electric power alone, while Hybrid mode automatically uses both the gas engine and electric motor to power the vehicle. E-save mode helps conserve the battery charge for later use.
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Benefits of Driving an Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicles offer many benefits over traditional gasoline-powered cars. Here are a few reasons why you should consider making the switch to electric when Jeep finally takes a plunge into the EV market:
Zero Emissions
Unlike traditional gasoline-powered vehicles that rely on fossil fuels to operate, electric cars use a clean and renewable source of energy – electricity. Electric vehicles produce zero emissions, significantly reducing your carbon footprint and helping improve air quality.
When greenhouse gasses and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere, they contribute to climate change. Electric vehicles also don’t produce any noise pollution. This is a significant benefit in congested urban areas where noise pollution is a major problem.
Lower Maintenance and Operating Costs
Electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered cars. As such, they require less maintenance and are more reliable. Additionally, electric vehicles don’t need tune-ups or oil changes, further reducing maintenance costs.
Compared to gasoline, electricity is cheaper and more stable in price. As a result, electric vehicles have much lower operating costs than gasoline-powered cars. There are also free, dedicated parking spots and charging stations for electric vehicles in many cities.
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Improved Performance
Electric vehicles offer instant torque, which means they have strong acceleration right from the start. Their motors also produce full torque at lower speeds, so you’ll enjoy a smoother and more comfortable ride.
In addition, electric vehicles offer regenerative braking. This means that the energy created when you brake is used to recharge the battery, further improving the efficiency of the vehicle.
Better Resale Value
Unlike gasoline-powered cars that depreciate rapidly, electric vehicles retain their value much better. Since they don’t rely on the combustion engine, they don’t experience the same wear and tear as gasoline-powered cars.
Additionally, electric vehicles benefit from government incentives and rebates, which further increase their resale value. Their lower maintenance and operating costs make them more attractive to used car buyers.
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Final Thoughts
Although Jeep doesn’t have any all-electric vehicles in their line-up, they have two hybrid electric models – the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. They are plug-in hybrids that offer excellent off-road capabilities, improved fuel efficiency, environmental benefits, and a smooth ride.
With Jeep at the forefront of hybrid technology and its plan for zero-emission by 2025, you can expect more EV models from the company in the future. If you’re in the market for a hybrid SUV, the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe are excellent choices.
Read: Does Jeep Make a Hybrid?
