First electric Jeep model to launch in 2023

The first pure-electric Jeep will arrive in Europe in early 2023, it has been confirmed. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Jeep’s parent group Stellantis, revealed the first pictures of the upcoming model in a March 2022 strategy and earnings presentation.

Given the new, as-yet-unnamed car will be launched in around a year’s time, it could be a sister model to the existing DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE, Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka-e SUVs. While the Stellantis Group is working on a new mechanical platform called ‘STLA Small’ that’ll underpin a variety of future small electric models, offering four-wheel drive and up to 300 miles’ driving range, it won’t be arriving until 2026.

As a result, it’s likely that Jeep’s first EV will sit on the same ‘e-CMP’ platform as those DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall models. That would mean at least 100kW rapid-charging capability and a 50kWh battery, which should be enough for a range of around 200 miles. What’s not clear is whether the new Jeep will be available with four-wheel-drive – until now an essential feature of all the brand’s models.

We’ll have to wait until the first half of 2023 to find out if the car gets a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive variant or sticks solely with front-wheel drive. In terms of size, it’s expected to sit below the existing Renegade in Jeep’s line-up. The two official pictures released so far show a blanked-out version of the brand’s iconic slotted grille, as well as short front and rear overhangs and wide wheelarches.

This isn’t the only electric model on the way from Jeep: according to Tavares, this model will be “the first of a comprehensive fully electric Jeep line-up that’ll cover every SUV segment by 2025.” In the meantime, the brand is close to offering petrol-electric plug-in hybrid versions of its entire current line-up, comprising the Renegade, Compass, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.