Zac Quinn 
We’ve been watching the progression of the automotive market for a while, and it’s pretty clear that the market will be made up of EVs in the future. That includes the Jeep Wrangler, as Jeep CEO Christian Meunier recently confirmed to UK’s Auto Express that the next-generation Wrangler will take the shape of an electric EV.
Jeep has been teasing an electric Wrangler for a few years now, in the form of the various Magneto concepts for the annual Moab Easter Safari event. The latest being the Magneto 3.0 concept, which is pictured above. It succeeds the all-electric Wrangler Magneto 2.0 concept from 2022 and original Magneto concept from 2021. It was previously teased that an all-electric Jeep would theoretically be able to drive completely under water.
Next-Generation Jeep Wrangler EV: First Details
While an all-electric Jeep is not yet available, models like the Wrangler 4xe have been used as a way to test the waters. And it’s been fairly popular; 38 percent of all Wranglers sold within the first quarter of this year have been 4xe models, and is one of the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market.
Further, by switching to a fully electric version of the Wrangler, Meunier believes the vehicle’s off-road performance can be enhanced. There is a fully electric Jeep called the Recon on the way, which is expected to reach a 6 on Jeep’s Trail Rating system. Still, the Wrangler will receive a different treatment, specifically regarding features that should boost off-road capability.
Since EVs can have more than one motor sending power to the wheels, Jeep could give each wheel its own motor that runs off the battery, which would communicate between each one to adjust the driving system and ensure traction isn’t lost—something like an All-Wheel Drive system but with more motors at play. There’s also the possibility of adding something like a Tank Turn or Crab Walk, which would make the vehicle more maneuverable on a trail, reducing the need to make 3-point turns on those tight switchbacks
Meunier wants to crank the Jeep Wrangler’s Trail Rating to a 12, and the number is intended specifically for an EV over the ICE version of the SUV. Already, the 2-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon scores a 10, so with the right features, it may be possible. Unfortunately, whether we’re ready for it or not, the Jeep Wrangler EV will be arriving on the market.
Will The Next-Generation Jeep Wrangler Be EV Only?
Even as Jeep aims to lead Stellantis’s EV efforts, there’s still strong demand for engine-powered Wranglers (62 percent of current sales, in fact). And it’s likely to stay this way as customers deal with higher prices, and as automakers face supply chain shortages. This could mean that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler (JM) could also come in ICE flavor, as well as EV. So while a lot of emphasis is being put on electrification, don’t expect Jeep to fully abandon its core market just yet.
