Lucas Bell 
The number of electric vehicles that continue to be announced, particularly in the SUV segment, has skyrocketed over the course of this year. With fully-electric models slated to be released in the coming months from the likes of Ford and General Motors, it leaves us to wonder what FCA has planned for the segment. Well, according to a report by Australia’s CarAdvice, an electric Jeep Wrangler might not be too far off.
In an interview with the publication, Head of Jeep Design Mark Allen stated that while any such vehicle is still under wraps, an electric powertrain is something that could ultimately improve the Wrangler. Allen specifically notes that he believes an electric Jeep Wrangler would be more capable than the current ICE-powered offering.
To be fair, Allen is likely correct with his assumption. The power delivery associated with using electric motors not only allows for instant torque, but individual control over each wheel. This is a huge advantage when dealing with rough terrain or tricky rock sections, as each wheel can adjust for slip in a way that just isn’t possible for a gasoline powered vehicle.
Don’t fret quite yet Jeep faithful, as Allen did say that an electric Jeep Wrangler is not in the cards quite yet. However, we do know that Jeep has made it their mission to be the greenest SUV brand on the market. By 2022 the company plans to offer electrification across their lineup in the form of plug-in hybrid models, which should serve as the test bed for FCA’s fully-electric efforts in the future.
With that being said, we do think there is a little reading between the lines that can be done here. The way in which Allen’s comments about electrification making the Wrangler a better product is a clear indicator that FCA is engaged in development to some degree. While we may not see an electric Jeep Wrangler come during the JL-generation, don’t be surprised when Allen’s carefully chosen words prove to be a little misleading.
