Jeep may add an all-electric model to its lineup here in the U.S. sooner than expected if a new report is to be believed. The Stellantis-owned brand is said to be bringing up the release of its Recon EV, which could now launch with a hybrid powertrain as well as battery-powered options.
The Recon was unveiled back in 2022 when it was meant to herald a new electric era for the historic American brand. The EV was heavily inspired by models like the XJ-generation Jeep Cherokee and came with distinctive Jeep quirks – like the ability to remove the doors.
Since all that was revealed more than two years ago, Jeep has remained tight-lipped on the progress of the new EV, until now. The company is reportedly planning to ramp up production of the Recon starting next month, according to reports from Mopar Insiders.
The Recon EV is rumored to be entering production in late February at Jeep’s Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, which is where the brand currently builds the Compass and the all-electric Wagoneer S. The production timeline is said to be “significantly earlier” than initially predicted, Mopar Insiders reports:
Job #1 production for the Recon is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 24, 2025. This timeline is significantly earlier than initially expected and aligns with the increasing number of pre-production pilot models recently spotted testing in Metro Detroit.
We’re told it’s now an all-hands-on-deck operation in Auburn Hills, with Stellantis bringing employees back to the office for the majority of the workweek. The automaker is reportedly focused on addressing issues encountered during the Dodge Charger Daytona and Wagoneer S launches to ensure a much smoother rollout for the Recon.
Recon production was initially thought to kick off in 2024, with Jeep originally announcing that pre-orders for the new model would start in 2024 ahead of a planned launch for the EV in 2025. That hasn’t happened, and in the years since the Recon was first unveiled, Jeep hasn’t shared much about its development, finished design or even its pricing.
What’s more, while the rush for production to start now is said to be as a means of drumming up interest in Stellantis’ EV lineup, Road & Track reports that the Recon may no longer be exclusively offered as an electric model:
While Jeep is set on revealing the Recon as a fully electric model, there have been rumors that a hybrid version is on the horizon. Little is known about this prospective hybrid model, but it could theoretically take on Jeep’s relatively new electrified 1.6-liter or borrow the 2.0-liter turbo-four PHEV system from its Wrangler 4xe sibling.
“[While] being faithful to our main strategy of deep electrification, we can think about opportunities on Recon. Let’s see: Recon will be built on a platform that is very versatile,” Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa said to Automotive News. “We are just studying [development on the Recon] and just analyzing if there are options for the future — but so far it’s BEV.”
We’ll now be waiting with bated breath to see if Stellantis has the guts to roll out the Recon with battery power and nothing more. After all, the Recon was supposed to be a key player in Jeep’s aim to have electrified models making up 50 percent of sales by the end of 2025. So far, the electrified 4XE models account for just 13 percent of Grand Cherokee sales and 37 percent of Wrangler sales according to the brand’s latest filings.
Maybe the Recon is the kick up the butt Jeep needs to get serious about EVs.
