All Jeep Models to be Electrified by 2022, New Boss Says
As detailed in FCA’s recently announced five-year plan, big changes are coming at Jeep. And we don’t just mean “big” as in large vehicles like the upcoming three-row SUVs.
Renowned the world over for its legendary off-road capabilities and powerful engines, especially the famous HEMI V8, Jeep now wants to become “the greenest SUV brand in the world.”
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And it doesn’t intend to waste time, either. While speaking to journalists at the launch of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator in New Zealand, Jeep’s new global president Christian Meunier said the entire lineup will be electrified by 2022.
In other words, all current and future models will feature either plug-in hybrid or battery-electric technology in about two years.
"We want to make it more of a sustainable, iconic brand, not only an off-road brand. Expand the capability off-road into more of on-road capability, all-weather capability, and fully sustainable and I think that's why when I said we want to become the greenest SUV brand in the world, we mean it and that is what the company is going to deliver,” Meunier was quoted as saying.
Jeep is still a long way from reaching its goal, mind you. Right now, all it has to show for in North America is a mild hybrid system called eTorque in the turbocharged, four-cylinder Wrangler. The iconic 4x4, which has just added a new EcoDiesel option, is predicted to be the first Jeep to get the PHEV treatment here.
After that, the next-generation Grand Cherokee and its platform-sharing three-row derivative will follow.
Look for more details to become available in the first half of 2020.
