First Jeep EV confirmed for 2023
Jeep has confirmed its first EV will go on sale in 2023 – although it may take longer to come to Australia.
In an earnings presentation for parent company Stellantis – owner of 14 brands – Jeep confirmed it would begin selling a pure electric vehicle in 2023.
The Jeep EV is one of 11 announced by Stellantis over the next two years, the other 10 coming from European brands including Maserati (one in 2022 and one in 2023), Opel (one in 2021), Peugeot (one in 2021 and another in 2023), Citroen (one each for 2021, 2022 and 2023) and two for Fiat Professional (commercial vehicles) in 2022.
Neither Stellantis or Jeep detailed what that EV model would be, although overseas reports have linked it to an expected small crossover to be manufactured in Poland. Some are speculating it could be the replacement for the Renegade that is no longer offered in Australia.
The yet-to-be-named new small crossover or SUV is expected to share underbody components with a new Fiat model and an Alfa Romeo, which some are calling the Brennero.
Assuming that is the case, then the Jeep would be the first of the trio to make an appearance, according to the Stellantis future EV roadmap that didn’t list a new Alfa Romeo or Fiat EV by 2023.
As for its chances of coming to Australia, a local Jeep spokesperson told us there is interest but nothing is confirmed.
It’s a similar story with Jeep’s plug-in hybrid models already on sale overseas.
While Jeep has been slow to the EV party, through parent company Stellantis it’s planning to catch up fast.
Jeep recently teased an all-electric version of the Wrangler in the form of the Jeep Magneto concept.
And in America Jeep already sells a plug-in hybrid version of the Wrangler – the Wrangler 4xe – that is at the heart of the brand. There are also 4xe PHEV versions of the Compass and Renegade and large Wagoneer.
Jeep has also said it expects electrification to make its off-roaders even more capable.
While Jeep these days produces many cars that are designed predominantly for the suburbs or bitumen roads, it also has a range of “Trail Rated” models designed to be the most capable in their categories.
