Initially, the Jeep Recon was poised to be one of the company’s fully electric vehicles, designed exclusively for Stellantis’ STLA Large platform. However, Autocar has revealed a potential shift in strategy, with Jeep considering a hybrid version of the Recon. This development could see the Recon offered in both fully electric and ICE-powered variants, a move that would undoubtedly intrigue hybrid vehicle enthusiasts. If Jeep makes a hybrid Recon along with a fully electric model, it’s a small way of admitting that EVs aren’t as popular as manufacturers had thought. It would also be the latest example of a big player in the industry going against the trend toward electric vehicles that has been happening for a few years now—a hold that seems to be weakening as companies become less optimistic about the future of electric cars. The Recon, an off-road electric car, is still in the conceptual stage and won’t be available until at least 2025. It’s designed to rival the Land Rover Defender and boasts features like doors that can be completely removed and impressive off-road capabilities, similar to its sibling, the Jeep Wrangler, and its competitor, the Ford Bronco. The Recon EV is projected to have a range of up to 373 miles on a single charge and a power output of up to 600 horsepower (592 hp), making it a compelling option for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. The Wagoneer S, Jeep’s other electric flagship vehicle that will be more geared toward road travel than the off-road Recon, will go on sale at the same time as the Recon. Antonio Filosa, CEO of Jeep, tells Autocar that the new Wagoneer will only be available as an electric vehicle. He says this while talking softly about the Recon. He then says, “Wagoneer S will definitely only be available as a BEV.” We can look into options for Recon, though, as long as we stick to our main plan of deep electrification. First, let’s look at the design that Recon will be built on. Filosa said that a gasoline-only car is not likely to be made, but that doesn’t mean that a hybrid Recon can’t happen. An ICE-powered Recon might be a plug-in or hybrid, but if it were ever sold along with the EV version, it would have to be a hybrid. Jeep has experience with plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs), and its Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe models have done well. This means that the Recon will be added to the company’s PHEV lineup. The most important thing to know is that Jeep seems to want a future with only electric cars, no matter what form the hybrid Recon takes. The car company says it is looking at all of its options and has now accepted that it needs to “invest in other possibilities” besides fully electric SUVs.
