The upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer REEV, that’s “range-extended electric vehicle,” will be America’s first production REEV. The upcoming SUV will use a 92-kWh battery pack paired with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Unlike traditional hybrids, where the gasoline motor also drives the wheels, the V6 will act solely as a generator for the car’s battery. Jeep executives promise the upcoming Grand Wagoneer will be a cure for poor infrastructure, allowing drivers to effectively take charging with them, circumventing the need for traditional charging infrastructure unless desired by the driver.
Jeep’s New REEV Will Carry 20 Gallons Of Gas
Total output is stratospheric – this will be the most powerful Grand Wagoneer ever – with 647 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque. Jeep estimates the massive SUV will hit 60 mph in five seconds. With both the battery and the gas tank topped off, you’ll be able to drive some 500 miles without stopping for more electrons into the battery or putting more gasoline into the tank. That’s about on par with another off-road-ready REEV coming: Scout’s Traveler SUV, which also promises “over 500 miles of range.” We’re willing to bet the two will largely be close in range.
Three modes for the powertrain (Charge Depleting, Hybrid, and Power Looping) will be available. Charge Depleting will exclusively run the SUV off its battery, Hybrid will use both it and the engine, and Power Looping will feed the electric motors continuously by running the generator and the battery simultaneously. This final mode is best for high-output situations like towing. The SUV will also be offered in both short and long-wheelbase models, just like gasoline Wagoneers.
Will Range-Extended EVs Be A Flash In The Pan Or A Path Forward?
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The introduction of REEVs into the market comes at a time when consumers are largely hesitant about EVs for several reasons: for one, no one has any darn money, and Federal EV subsidies were just shut down after decades of implementation, putting pricier EVs further out of reach for many. Charging infrastructure in the US continues to expand, but sales figures show a strong preference among buyers for hybrids, perhaps as a result of fears over charging reliability.
On the surface, a REEV seems like a solid compromise, allowing drivers to drive further on battery power alone than many plug-in hybrids, but without forcing them to forgo the gas pump entirely. They are, in essence, a more electrified plug-in hybrid. However, their large gasoline engines and huge batteries are heavy and carry environmental penalties of their own, and consumer adoption is low simply because many upcoming REEVs have yet to hit the market. The Grand Wagoneer should be the first, and we’ll be watching closely. It’ll also be offered alongside other powertrains, so you’ll have a traditional gasoline option to choose from as well.
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