Hybrid vs Electric Vehicles

The Jeep 4xe system is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain or PHEV for short. All PHEVs use a combination of at least one electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a rechargeable battery pack. A PHEV essentially serves as a bridge between a hybrid vehicle and a fully electric vehicle. While an EV charging cord primarily charges PHEVs, they still use regenerative braking like all hybrid and electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrid cars are a great choice for drivers with a shorter commute. However, they are popular for a wider range of drivers because they run on both gas and electric power, allowing you to drive on gas power when the battery is depleted or electric power when the fuel level is low.

Hybrid vehicles started the electric vehicle revolution more than twenty years ago, and the technology has advanced as it has become increasingly popular. Combining electric and gas power, hybrids are popular among drivers with longer commutes as they provide excellent driving range and miles per gallon without ever requiring the battery to be recharged. Hybrids feature one or more electric motors, a small battery pack, and a gas-powered engine. Hybrids use gas power when more power is required, such as while merging on the highway or climbing a hill. When braking or decelerating, the gas engine is disengaged, and the vehicle runs solely on electric power. To recharge a hybrid battery, hybrid vehicles use brake regeneration. This captures kinetic energy from the friction between the brake pads and rotors created while braking, translates it to electrical energy, and sends it back to the battery pack.

Forgoing the internal combustion engine, a Battery Electric Vehicle, or BEV, operates solely on electric power, usually provided by two electric motors and a large rechargeable battery pack that also uses regenerative braking. There are many advantages to owning a BEV. First and foremost, it is oftentimes cheaper to charge a fully-electric vehicle than it is to fill the tank of a gas-powered vehicle. Additionally, they offer higher performance than gas-powered, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This is because torque is immediately sent to the wheels with no delay, meaning 100% of the engine’s torque is available the instant you press the gas pedal, offering more fun and exciting ride. Another benefit is that BEVs are nearly silent, as there is no noise from a gas-powered engine. The last benefit is that BEVs require much less routine maintenance than PHEVs, hybrids, and gas vehicles. This is because there are fewer mechanical components, eliminating the need for routine oil changes, fuel filter changes, and other routine maintenance services.

The Jeep 4xe system combines gas and electric power with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder gasoline engine, an engine-mounted electric motor, a transmission-mounted electric motor, and a 400-volt lithium-ion battery pack. As of the 2022 model year, 4xe is available for the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. However, Jeep has plans to make the PHEV powertrain available for the entire lineup by 2025. In the Grand Cherokee, the 4xe system offers 375 horsepower, 470 lb-ft of torque, 56 MPG gas-equivalent, 25 miles of all-electric driving, and a total driving range of 440 miles. Meanwhile, the Wrangler offers the same horsepower and torque output, the gas equivalent of 49 MPG, a 21-mile electric driving range, and a combined driving range of 370 miles.

As electric power becomes more popular in the automotive industry, Jeep is keeping up with the times with the new 4xe powertrain. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of a new SUV with plug-in hybrid power, then be sure to check out the new Grand Cherokee 4xe and Wrangler 4xe here at Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! Our full inventory can be found right here on our website, where you can also custom order a new 4xe model directly from the factory. To learn more about the 4xe lineup or take a test drive visit our knowledgeable sales team in-store. We hope to see you soon!