It’s official, Jeep will definitely stop the sale of thermal cars for individuals on May 31, 2022. The Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Compass and Renegade will soon only be available with plug-in hybrid or micro-hybrid engines.
The forced electrification of car manufacturers is underway, including for off-road specialists. Jeep thus becomes the first brand of the Stellantis group to become 100 % electrified in Europe. And this, before the arrival of the “Baby Renegade” in 2023, the first 100% electric model from the American firm.
Two levels of hybridization for now
Hybridization is ramping up in the Jeep catalog long before this official announcement. Concrete example: the PHEV variants (called 4xe) today represent the heart of the range of the various models. This technology notably arrived last year on the Wrangler and will do the same in June with the new Grand Cherokee. Two models that take the side of no longer offering other engines.
These 4xe versions have also been available on the Renegade and Compass for nearly two years. The great novelty, is that the gasoline and diesel engines also present in the catalog will disappear. They will be replaced by a new one 1.5 l turbo petrol 130 hp combined with a 48 V light hybridization. According to the manufacturer, “customers can nevertheless go to their distributor to order a petrol or diesel engine until May 31, 2022”. Only the Gladiator pickup escapes this decision and continues its career with the V6 3.0 l diesel.
A mapped-out electric future
Christian Meunier, CEO of Jeep World, is very clear about the future of his brand and says: “ We are committed to making Jeep the greenest and most exciting SUV brand. “He considers that the spirit of the brand can last with these climatic requirements” by offering the possibility of taking advantage even more of the off-road capabilities of a Jeep, in almost complete silence while preserving the efficient and fun road qualities on the asphalt “.
And to conclude: The plan provides for the marketing of a 100% electric Jeep in each new range of SUVs from 2025. According to Carlos Tavares, boss of Stellantis, Jeep should definitively abandon hybrid blocks to become 100% electric by 2027.
