by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
Jeep has always stepped up its concept game for the annual Easter Jeep Safari event in Moab Utah, introducing many drool-worthy vehicles (we’re looking at you Crew Chief and J6) in the city surrounded by red rocks.
And this year appears no different.
Stellantis officially announced Monday its Jeep brand will be hauling an all-electric Wrangler concept out to Moab for EJS, even though there was uncertainty for a time whether this year’s event would actually take place
Red Rock 4 Wheelers, the event organizers, first held off on registration for the 2021 EJS due to uncertainty with the ongoing pandemic. The group then announced earlier this month it was canceling EJS after being unable to come to an agreement with Grand County (Utah) Comissioners regarding event size and health concerns.
However, in the following days, both sides appeared to come to a resolution so the event could proceed this year. EJS is scheduled from March 27-April 4.
”Grand County Administrator, Chris Baird and Mike Kelso, President Red Rock 4 Wheelers, had a conversation, wherein the county administrator assured the President of RR4W that the county ordinance that was hindering the Easter Jeep Safari event would be amended by the 16th of this month. Which would allow the event to (take place),” the RR4W said in a statement.
Not much is known about this fully electrified Wrangler, which currently goes by the name Wrangler BEV (battery electric vehicle), except that it does not appear to use individual front and rear motors that are common in all-wheel-drive electrified vehicles.
According to a cutaway image of the Wrangler BEV that Stellantis provided, there appears to be a traditional-looking gearbox and transfer case, while the normal gasoline powerplant has been removed for more batteries.
The vehicle also looks to have many of the 4xe Wrangler’s parts, including blue color scheme and driver’s side charging port in front of the A-pillar.
That vehicle, a plug-in hybrid, is currently in production and is expected to reach showrooms in the coming weeks.
The BEV’s teaser image also displays the familiar Jeep Wrangler exterior appearance, however the front seven-slot grille does not appear to have traditional slot openings, and may even have a lighting element in that grille area separate from the vehicle’s headlights.
Expect to hear more about this fully-electric concept, as well as information on any others Jeep concept releases, over the next month leading into EJS. Stellantis did not say whether this concept would make it to production, but as the automaker is rapidly accelerating its electrified options, the Wrangler BEV certainly could make that jump.
Jeep also announced that it is expecting to have solar-powered charging stations in the coming months located at its Badge of Honor trails across the United States. According to Jeep, construction is underway including stations at Moab and the Rubicon Trail in California. Jeep should be unveiling the first of its new stations at Moab during EJS.
EJS is a series of day-long trail rides across scores of trail systems in the Moab area that begins the week before Easter. The safari normally lasts nine days, and participants provide their own four-wheel vehicles, food, and fuel.
It began in 1967 when the Moab Chamber of Commerce decided the Jeep community would be welcomed to rally on the Behind the Rocks Trail. The following year, Moab Rim trail was added and participants were mostly Chamber members. However, over the years EJS has grown into one of the country’s largest off-road events. Last year marked the only cancellation in event history.
RR4W took over EJS in 1983.
