New fuel-saving technology isn’t hitting the SUV market quite as quickly as it’s taking over the small car segment. You’ll soon be able to purchase a very inexpensive Honda Insight. The Toyota Prius is known to all. Upgrading significantly to the Chevrolet Volt isn’t too far off. In the sport-ute world, the soft crossover Lexus RX400h is way too expensive and not financially beneficial. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is based on a vehicle – the Tahoe – that doesn’t conform with the habits of a huge chunk of the populace.
But Chrysler has a plan with the Jeep EV, based on the Wrangler four-door, to take a classic vehicle into the new world. Jeep calls it a range-extended electric vehicle that “uses an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed.” 268 horsepower and 295-lb-ft of torque power the Wrangler EV, but the powerplant can work, like the Chevy Volt, up to 40 miles without the internal-combustion engine. Overall, a range of 400 miles is anticipated. Chrysler LLC sees the Wrangler is the perfect type of vehicle to work with in-wheel electric motors, an idea the Lightning Electric Car has brought to fruition.
