- Jeep has reportedly canceled a planned plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its Gladiator 4xe pickup
- The similar Wrangler 4xe has been a relative success, but the Gladiator has a smaller following
Jeep will not build a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its Gladiator pickup, according to a new report. Industry publication Automotive News cites a letter to suppliers canceling plans to order parts for the vehicle.
The Gladiator is essentially a pickup truck version of Jeep’s iconic Wrangler SUV. It enjoys a unique position in the market as the most off-road oriented midsize truck and the only convertible pickup currently manufactured. But sales have never approached those of the better-known Wrangler.
Gladiator Sales and PHEV Sales Are Both Minor Factors for Jeep
- Jeep says further Gladiator powertrains are coming, but does not explain what that means
A PHEV, like the conventional hybrids you may be more familiar with, has both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Unlike a conventional hybrid, it can use either one at any speed. It has a larger battery than a traditional hybrid, and can recharge from an ordinary household wall socket or, in most cases, a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charger.
Owning a PHEV splits the difference between buying an electric vehicle (EV) and a gas-powered car. Most can travel between 25 and 50 miles on electric power alone before using gasoline. So, they allow their owners to do around-town driving without gasoline yet still take road trips with no charging stops or range anxiety.
The drawback is complexity — a PHEV is a lot of moving parts that can break, so owning one out of warranty risks hefty repair bills.
Jeep builds a PHEV version of the Wrangler — the Wrangler 4xe — which is America’s best-selling PHEV in some months. But its sales remain a fraction of total Wrangler sales, making the prospect of a similar Gladiator 4xe a riskier proposition.
In its letter to suppliers, AN reports, Jeep suggested that “additional powertrain options” could come to the Gladiator “in the near future,” but offered no specifics.
