That's what you would do but electricity storage is the EV's Achilles heel. The EV's fuel storage containers are the heaviest and bulkiest component of the vehicle. They're getting better but they have a long way to go before they match the weight and energy density of fossil fuels. So until that improvement happens, "carry extra fuel" is far easier said than done.
The 4xe is a great first step, and has allowed me to buy an off-road vehicle for the first time, even though I have wanted one for years. I am primarily concerned with emissions and fossil fuel consumption, and so I could not justify buying anything like a Wrangler. I can only have one vehicle, so it was way too wasteful for my daily driving quick trips around town. Even with 25mi range, I should be able to do most of my driving around town on electric. It does certainly have its compromises, though, that's for sure, and it is not a long-term solution.
The point is that you don't "carry extra fuel". You keep some of the fuel you're already carrying in reserve. It's a psychological shift, for sure, but a necessary one.
I think we're going to see vast improvements in solar tech over the next several years. Cost of the panels, efficiency, durability, etc.
That would be amazing! Are you aware of any currently ongoing research into next generation solar panel tech that I can read up on?
You won't make many friends on a Jeep forum suggesting that they ditch the 4wd drivetrain, but I think you're right. Have you looked at Rivian at all? They're doing some really interesting/incredible things with this, and their R1T is being built/tested/hyped specifically for offroad/offgrid usage. It's their whole schtick.
Um... that's not an option. Then you would be severely increasing the places where the electric Jeep can't go, or at least go safely with enough of a fuel reserve to handle unexpected detours. The psychological shift would be to not go electric because it's too risky.
Not specifically, but a buddy shared these links on Twitter this morning. Pretty impressive innovation on a fully solar-powered car. Still a few years out, but again, if I'm an OEM and I know that EVs are the future but I also know that "range anxiety" is a thing and that the proper EV charging infrastructure is still a few years out, I'd be keeping a sharp eye on solar panel innovation, particularly when it comes to powering/recharging cars.
I mean. No you wouldn't? If the BEV Wrangler has a 500mi range (not an unreasonable expectation by the end of the decade), that's literally no different than a 400mi range ICE + 5gal of gas (at 20mpg).
Never even heard of the Rivian. Interesting! But I think they're coming from a pickup truck mindset, on-road first, off-road second. I'd rather see what Jeep engineers do with this concept with their off-road first mindset. They kept the live front axle, on-road performance be damned, so I highly doubt they will take a step backwards here. But if driveshafts and differentials become unnecessary, does this free them to create an off-road suspension improvement?
True. But it must have that range and not be a giant rolling block of lead to do it. I'd love it if that were possible since electric has tremendous benefits both environmentally and in performance. it probably will be eventually but the battery component certainly isn't there yet.
They're not a normal pickup. Everything about their marketing is pretty close to the Wrangler. Maybe leaning a *bit* more Bronco, but they're definitely more focused on the offroad/offgrid capabilities than the onroad manners.
No, it's not there in 2021, you're right about that. Though... the F150 Lightning has a range of 300mi today, is significantly heavier (and not really any more aerodynamic) than the Wrangler, AND that range was calculated with a 1000lb payload so real world non-weighted range is likely much higher. So it's not as far off as you think.
My first thought was how much could that suspension possibly flex. Looks very IFS to me. What I'm thinking is imagine the flex that a Wrangler is capable of, then remove the necessity to keep the wheels parallel with a live axle. Now we're talking about a crazy capable off-road vehicle.They're not a normal pickup. Everything about their marketing is pretty close to the Wrangler. Maybe leaning a *bit* more Bronco, but they're definitely more focused on the offroad/offgrid capabilities than the onroad manners.
And I think they've got the specs to back it up. Maybe not fully Wrangler-capability-matching, but pretty damn close:
Of course they're not delivering yet, but I think they're on track to start deliveries this month or August.
So basically equivalent to my 2dr ICE JL, which I already consider range challenged. Still a long way to go. But don't get it twisted, if the range could be increased at least 30% and I could recharge anime-style at a power station I'd be all into electric.
