by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
MOAB, Utah — Electric power that provides instant, powerful low end torque is coming to dealerships shortly in Jeep’s new 4xe hybrid Wrangler. And Saturday, the brand let everyone know how those who purchase its new hybrid, and want to take it off-road, can keep the thing well charged while on the trail.
As part of this year’s Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep today unveiled that it is building an all-new charging network for the plug-in 4xe hybrid Wrangler that will provide Level 2 (240-volt) charging with the ability to fully recharge the 4xe's 17 kilowatt-hour battery pack in about two hours. The chargers, operated by Electrify America, will directly connect to a power grid, if available, or use solar power.
A full charge on the 4xe Wrangler allows for 21 miles of electric range, and as the vehicle has a 2.0L engine, drivers can use that electric range, and the gasoline engine while driving to the trailhead; and then recharge before hitting the trail.
Jeep said in a press release that it plans to install these stations at or near the trailheads of Jeep Badge of Honor trails over the next 12 months.
“Electrification opens a new chapter in the Jeep brand story, and it brings an entirely new level of excitement and enjoyment to our enthusiastic owners,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep Brand Chief Executive Officer. “Key to making Jeep brand the greenest SUV brand is assuring our owners can enjoy the benefits of electric propulsion wherever they go, including the most iconic off-road trails in the country.”
Three trail areas will be prioritized to receive the first charging stations later this spring, Jeep said in a press release, including Moab, Utah; the Rubicon Trail in Pollock Pines, California; and Big Bear, California. Additional locations will be announced in the future, Jeep said.
Besides the 4xe Wrangler, Jeep did bring another electrified vehicle to EJS this year — the Magneto concept which is an all-electric Wrangler. While the brand has not said if this concept will make it to production, the company is on record saying it does plan to have all-electric versions of all its vehicles in the next few years.
A custom mobile app by Electrify America will allow 4xe owners to log in, initiate, and monitor their free charging session.
“It is our goal to provide electric vehicle drivers with the freedom to get to where they want to go — whether it be on a highway or off-road — and we look forward to bringing Jeep enthusiasts along on the journey,” said Giovanni Palazzo, president and chief executive officer of Electrify America. “Through the customizable electric vehicle charging offerings of our Electrify Commercial B2B brand, we were able to work with Jeep to identify where their drivers will need charging access most, and make it a reality.”
The Jeep Badge of Honor program allows owners to ‘check in’ through a specialized app when they run certain trails across the country, and register for a free badge to signify their experience. The program was launched in 2013, and last year it consisted of 56 off-road trails across more than 17 states around the country.
Easter Jeep Safari kicked off today throughout the Moab-area trail system, and runs through Sunday, April 4.
