Jeep shows off its first all-electric SUV ahead of 2023 launch

Jeep has unveiled its first pure battery-powered model overnight, announcing plans to launch the model in the first half of next year.

Codenamed 516, according to Automotive News Europe, technical details of the as-yet-unnamed Jeep have not been outlined at this stage, but it’s thought the electric SUV could be underpinned by the e-CMP platform shared with others models in the Stellantis family stable.

But while other e-CMP-based vehicles from Peugeot and Vauxhall are front-wheel drive, UK outlet AutoExpress is reporting the Jeep could gain the use of an electric motor on the rear axle, making the SUV all-wheel-drive.

However, given the SUV appears to be a city vehicle – with closely-related models also due from Alfa Romeo and Fiat – it’s likely Jeep will offer the 516 with front-wheel drive.

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Jeep Australia has told Wheels it will be sharing its electric vehicle plans later this year, but company CEO Christian Meunier has previously indicated it could take a proactive approach to electric models, rather than waiting for governments to incentivise the transition.

“Not every new electric model will be seen in every single market or region right away, it will gradually come and how soon will depend on the local market and if governments are willing to promote electrification and greater grid development,” Meunier told a media roundtable last year.

“In Australia [enthusiasm for] electrification is happening very quickly. Of course it is far behind Europe and still a little bit behind the US, but we see the energy there,” he said.

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Above: Jeep CEO Christian Meunier.

“But basically these countries [including Australia] need to contribute to accelerating efforts towards electrification by evolving legislation and we’re now starting to see that. Instead of waiting for governments to tell us what they’re going to do and when, we like to have a practical approach and bring it [the technology] up front, we’re going to push for electrification as a leader, not a follower.”

Expect the small electric SUV to sit beneath the Jeep Renegade, with the all-new model due to arrive in US and European markets in the first half of 2023.