Acceleration in the Jeep EV is strong and smooth, ramping up power progressively where the vehicle just keeps pulling and pulling up the speedometer at an almost unnerving pace. Because it's all electronic, the console-mounted stick shift is gone and the gear selection is done by pushbutton just below the Navi screen. The Navi screen itself allows for several different screens to help the driver monitor all sorts of vehicle parameters like battery temperature, power levels, strength, range, charge/discharge direction and more. Our biggest beef is that the steering setup isn't quite dialed in and the battery pack, from underneath the vehicle, looks like the thickest skidplate you've ever seen (but we're told there is no compromise in ground clearance.)

The Jeep JT, a pickup based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV, and the Dodge Demon roadster both bowed in early 2007, just as Chrysler found itself faced with an ownership change that severed its access to the considerable investment and intellectual capital of what is now Daimler AG.
"They're concepts, but we're shopping them around looking for, maybe, partnerships," Gilles says.

Of the two, the JT presents "an easier proposition," he says, adding it has captured the imaginations of Chrysler personnel.

Chrysler LLC announced today that the Company and its ENVI organization have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles -- one for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge.

Chrysler will select one electric-drive model to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, approximately one hundred Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009.

The Company said that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles, and that it will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

At its World Headquarters here today, Chrysler revealed its electric-drive prototypes -- Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV -- and demonstrated the driving performance and capability of each.

"We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer," said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO -- Chrysler LLC. "The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market."

The Jeep EV development vehicle is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.

The Jeep EV combines Wrangler's unmatched off-road capability with the ultimate "Tread Lightly" mindset by providing nature ambassadors with the ability to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time.

The Jeep EV Range-extended Electric Vehicle 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. The 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor generates 400 N*m (295 lb.-ft.) of torque. With approximately eight gallons of gasoline, the Jeep EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.

"We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI's advanced electric-drive technologies," said Rhodes.

The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently results in off-road capability ideally suited for the Jeep brand, without compromising on-road driving capability.

In order to withstand heavy duty use, Jeep’s engineers reinforced the Wrangler frame allowing greater payloads – up to a maximum of 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs.). Other improvements include the Dana 60 rear axle with heavy duty brake discs and a new air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted air inlet that enables the J8 to ford water up to 762 mm (30 in.) deep and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.

Jeep offers the J8 as a two-door truck with an extended pickup bed or a four-door multipurpose vehicle. However, the J8 can be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand or left-hand drive. For example, the two-door version can be configured as a personnel carrier seating up to eight passengers

Driving range is extended by a generator coupled to a small-displacement 1.5-liter Bluetec diesel engine. Renegade has a 400-mile range, and is capable of achieving an equivalent gasoline fuel economy rating of 110 miles per gallon.

While most electric vehicles are geared toward commuting around town, the Jeep Renegade is specifically designed for off-road performance. "With an electric motor powering each axle, the Jeep Renegade concept is designed for a ‘hang on and have fun experience," said Tony Shamenkov, Jeep Renegade concept principal exterior designer.