As the annual Easter Jeep Safari got underway March 26, Electrify America announced that it is working with Jeep to establish the Jeep 4xe Charing Network as selected off-road trailheads in the next 12 months.
The installations will be done at Jeep Badge of Honor trailheads, starting with Moab, Rubicon and Big Bear, which are scheduled to be operational this spring. Electrify America said use of the Level 2 (240-volt) charging stations will be free to Jeep 4xe owners through a custom mobile smartphone app.
Jeep reports that its electric-powered 4xe plug-in hybrid Wrangler can be driven 21 miles on all-electric power and thus “can conquer even the toughest trails with zero emissions.”
“Electrification opens a new chapter in the Jeep brand story, and it brings an entirely new level of excitement and enjoyment for our enthusiastic owners,” Christian Meunier, Jeep Brand chief executive, was quoted in the news release. “Key to making Jeep brand the greenest SUV brand is assuring our owners can enjoy the benefits of electric propulsion wherever they go, including the most iconic off-road trails in the country.”
“It is our goal to provide electric vehicle drivers with the freedom to get to where they want to go – whether it be on a highway or off-road – and we look forward to bringing Jeep enthusiasts along on the journey,” said Giovanni Palazzo, president of Electrify America.
“Through the customizable electric vehicle charging offerings of our Electrify Commercial B2B brand, we were able to work with Jeep to identify where their drivers will need charging access most, and make it a reality.”
Electrify America said its Level 2 units can fully recharge a Jeep 4xe in 2 hours.
“Recharge times will be shorter for Wrangler 4xe owners looking to just top off the battery pack before heading out on the trail,” it added.
Jeep noted that the 4xe delivers 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The vehicles, priced at $47,995 for the Sahara and at $41,695 for the Rubicon (prices exclude the $7,500 federal tax credit), include an eSave mode that “saves the Wrangler 4xe’s battery charge for later use by prioritizing propulsion from the 2.0-liter engine.”
Additionally, the driver can choose between battery saving and battery charging during eSave via the Hybrid Electric Pages in the vehicle’s Uconnect monitor.
For more information, visit the Electrify America website.
