Jeep’s electric switch revs up

 Talk of a fast farewell to big V8s and pure diesels dominates today’s 80th birthday celebration.

 “I LOVE V8s, but I love electrification even more, because it can give me more acceleration, more power, (and) more torque in a better package, without hurting the planet. So I think it’s a better solution longer term.”

That’s a comment attributed to Jeep brand chief executive Christian Meunier, made to regional media earlier this week, prior to a global brand announcement today that further emphasises that the famous off-road American brand is turning off its reliance on fossil fuels.

Jeep has already cited that a slew of electric Jeep models are on the way to meet a goal for 70 percent of its global sales by 2025 to be electrified, using mild-hybrid, 'self-charging' hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric power.

The prospect of every segment the brand operates in being covered by an electric option within four years has been reinforced today, the 80th anniversary of the brand’s birth, patently has implication for New Zealand, because no market is being spared.

The national distributor, Ateco Group, has not offered any public comment so far about the grand plan that, according to a report by an influential media outlet in Australia, appears to accelerate the introduction of electric assist drivetrains and also rush curtailment of purely fossil-fuelled powertrains.

It cites the end for diesel fuel by the end of the decade globally – with the V8 petrol engine potentially slated to follow a similar timeline.

Jeep isn't the only major SUV manufacturer to announce plans to ditch diesel, with British off-road rival Land Rover confirming in February it will phase out diesel engines from 2026, ahead of converting its entire line-up to electric power by 2036.

Muenier’s conversation with Australian journalists cements that Jeep is on the same path.

"We are lucky to have (electrification),” he has commented to Australia’s CarAdvice website.

“We embrace it, and on top of that you know a Jeep owner likes nature, they embrace nature, and to have a product that doesn’t hurt nature is quite great. To drive in silence in nature is awesome. It’s magic.”

When asked about the future of diesel engines, Meunier is reported to have said: “I think that diesel in Europe is going to disappear, and Europe was really the root of diesel engines. And (as a result of) this it’s very clear that diesel (sales) volume is going to reduce significantly.

"But does that mean we will stop (offering) diesel (engines) all at once? No, I think there will be a transition between now and 2030, and it will vary by market. Some markets will continue to have V8 engines, (some) will continue to have six-cylinder engines, (and some) will continue to have diesel.”

 The Jeep Grand Cherokee stands as the model most reliant on V8 in this market, and the new version expected to come later this year will also drop its 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel for petrol V6 and 4xe plug-in hybrid options only.

In his conversation, Meunier suggests it is inevitable that electrification will replace high-performance V8s in the brand's line-up.

"In the medium term it’s clear that we’ll want to protect the V8 ... (and) the high-performance V8 [for] as long as we can … at the same time it’s very clear that electrification gives us an opportunity to get even more performance, in a better way.”

Jeep in this region is also readying release of the updated version of its Compass sports utility. A drastically updated interior, tweaked exterior styling and new standard safety equipment are among improvements.

Today is chosen as the brand’s anniversary because on this day in 1941 the former Willys-Overland Company, signed a contract with the United States War Department to begin production of the first military Jeep vehicle.

To honour its ultimate zero-emission vision, Jeep today posted the attached video, which it says showcases the unique nature of the electrification of the Jeep brand through a couple's love story. The piece intertwines Jeep brand vehicles, future technology and the Jeep global community, to establish a promise for a brighter future ahead.  The piece features a new song by Bastille, ‘give me the future’, also released today.