Jeep is getting ready to roll out hybrid vehicles in order to meet new greenhouse gas and regulatory constraints around the world, Chrysler Asia-Pacific production planning manager Steve Bartoli revealed earlier this week.
Speaking to Australian publication Drive, Bartoli said a hybrid-powered Jeep is inevitable, despite the fact the Chrysler has yet to make any official decision in that direction.
“We are absolutely looking at different things in that field and we are very active behind the scenes in the development of these systems and how it fits into our profile. With greenhouse gas and regulatory constraints around the world, it is definitely pushing our hand in that way but we haven’t made any decisions on that and we’re not ready to talk about that,” he said.
Although it recognizes the benefits of instant torque offered by electric motors, Jeep is concerned about about the reliability of hybrid systems and batteries in rough, off-road conditions, Bartoli added.
“We always want to make sure a Jeep can get you home. These are very complex and expensive systems, not just for us to develop but also for the consumers. Not only that, but [battery] range is a very important issue and we need to make sure how we can fit that into our systems because you don’t want to be stuck in a creek in an electric Jeep that is going nowhere,” he noted.
Story via Drive
“We are absolutely looking at different things in that field and we are very active behind the scenes in the development of these systems and how it fits into our profile. With greenhouse gas and regulatory constraints around the world, it is definitely pushing our hand in that way but we haven’t made any decisions on that and we’re not ready to talk about that,” he said.
Although it recognizes the benefits of instant torque offered by electric motors, Jeep is concerned about about the reliability of hybrid systems and batteries in rough, off-road conditions, Bartoli added.
“We always want to make sure a Jeep can get you home. These are very complex and expensive systems, not just for us to develop but also for the consumers. Not only that, but [battery] range is a very important issue and we need to make sure how we can fit that into our systems because you don’t want to be stuck in a creek in an electric Jeep that is going nowhere,” he noted.
Story via Drive