• Jeep may turn to traditional hybrids to attract price-sensitive buyers
  • Jeep already offers a traditional hybrid powertrain in the Avenger subcompact crossover
  • Jeep still pushing ahead with EVs

Jeep plans to investigate traditional hybrid powertrains as a lower-cost alternative to plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains, a senior executive has revealed.

Speaking with Automotive News (subscription required) in an interview published on Thursday, Matthew Nyquist, Jeep's vice president of global product planning, said traditional hybrid powertrains that help reduce fuel consumption and don't require charging, like you find in the Toyota Prius, will appeal to price-sensitive buyers.

“Between plug-in and (traditional hybrids), there's quite a bit of associated cost, as we have the engine and a fairly good-sized battery within the plug-in hybrid," he said. “So, (traditional hybrids are) definitely something we would study across all the segments to provide the right price point and the right kind of fuel economy for our buyers."

A traditional hybrid powertrain has just been added to the Jeep Avenger subcompact crossover, which is sold overseas and also offers gas and electric powertrain options. The Avenger's hybrid powertrain features a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor driving the front axle and a second electric motor driving the rear axle to form an all-wheel-drive system.

In the U.S., Jeep offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. The automaker is also expected to launch series plug-in hybrid powertrains, starting next year with the Wagoneer. In a series plug-in hybrid, the gas engine is used only as a generator to charge a battery, which in turn powers an electric drive system.

Despite the growth in demand for electric vehicles slowing sharply this year, Jeep is pushing ahead with the launch of its first EVs in the U.S. The automaker has already launched the Wagoneer S and will follow it later this year with the Recon. Jeep has also promised an electric Renegade priced from below $25,000 will be launched soon, and the automaker is also expected to launch an electric Wagoneer later this decade.