FCA India to introduce EVs, could start with sub-4m electric SUV

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is considering launching electric vehicles in India. The group already has already announced plans to electrify its range of vehicles globally starting with three new Jeep plug-in hybrids and is in talks with several electric start-ups for buying electric powertrains.

In an article, Moneycontrol has reported while there are no confirmed plans from the company yet on EVs for India, FCA will be working on several battery-powered vehicles that may be brought to India.

FCA has electric at the global level. We are watching the Indian market. Today we are basically meeting consumer demand. When the consumer dictates that he wants us to bring them here then we have the technology. They are being developed as we speak. The current pipeline of products we have for India includes EVs.

Partha Datta, President and Managing Director, FCA India

FCA displayed the hybrid versions of Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade at the 2020 CES in Las Vegas, wearing the 4xe badge to distinguish the hybrid models from petrol and diesel ones. The 4xe models will be making their debuts in several auto shows this year. The Compass and Renegade 4xe models offer a range of 50 km in pure-electric mode and get a 1.3-litre petrol engine.

Jeep product plan electric vehicle confirmed
In 2018, FCA confirmed that it would introduce a pure-electric version of the next-gen Jeep Renegade, Jeep Wrangler and 10 plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2022.

There have also been reports that suggest Fiat Chrysler is in talks with electric start-ups like Faraday Future and Seres for using their EV technologies in its vehicles. FCA will be pushing for more energy-efficient vehicles in key markets like the United States, China and Europe where the demand for electric vehicles is high. With the FCA-PSA merger set to be completed by early 2021, FCA can consider PSA’s electric powertrains for its models.

The strongest possibility is the launch of an electric SUV based on the new entry level product that Jeep will bring to India next year. The sub-4m product will be manufactured in India and positioned against the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue and the Tata Nexon. European media reports have suggested that Jeep is considering a pure electric variant of this member (though this did not exist in the original plan), and it would resonate with Jeep’s ambition to be the greenest SUV brand in the world. FCA, EVW learns, would also bring the Renegade to India to establish its presence in the SUV segment below the Compass and manufacturing the car here automatically leads to the possibility of an electric variant.

In Europe, FCA has started trial production of the next-generation Fiat 500e at its new plant in the Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy. The Italian plant will also be used to manufacture other eco models including Maserati Ghibli hybrid, Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio BEVs (and ICEs). The 500 EV will enter series production in June, while the Fiat Ducato electric van will also see introduction this year. However we don’t expect to see the return of Fiat cars in India as electric vehicles.

[Source: Moneycontrol.com]