Wondering what you think of the JK-EV?

[sylvanis]

jalopnik.com/5053639/jeep-ev-rock-crawling-the-electric-way

ANY THOUGHTS?!?

I am moving into that "almost paid for" status, and my wife and I agreed that the LJ will probably become a trail rig. I'm looking for a commuter vehicle. I'd love to get back on a motor cycle but the car seat looks funny on the back of one.

Low an behold, the JK-EV.

Since my commute is something like 8 mi round trip, this thing would be perfect.

[sylvanis]

I think that the aftermarket will be on top of making "Freedom Top" Solar Panels.

[nwquadriders]

I think any new electric/hybrid/fuel cell cars are cool. Especially one with an extended range.

[Belfast]

I don't know enough about this one - the interview that I saw said they are looking to have an electric motor for each wheel. To me that's 3 more motors to maintain and deal with. I know electric motors are supposed to be less maintenance, but I don't know if they can hold up in a 4-wheel drive application. If it was a straight hybrid, it would be a no-brainer.

We'll see if/when these things actually hit the streets - most likely in 2010 as a 2011 model at the absolute earliest.

[sylvanis]

Sept 28, 2008 22:02:47 GMT -5 Belfast said:

I don't know enough about this one - the interview that I saw said they are looking to have an electric motor for each wheel. To me that's 3 more motors to maintain and deal with.

Well at least they're just "exploring" a 4 motor system. I'm with you about the maintenance part. I'm sure that if they stick with the 1 motor(like the current demo model) that it would do fine. My guess/fear is that the 4 motor concept will be their Rubicon model. I guess being able to individually control the power to each wheel could be ok.

I doubt that this would replace anyone's trail rig. I'm not sure that the small gas motor would be able to maintain enough power to run the vehicle through an entire day of wheeling. Plus if you're not near a wheeling place (like me) at least 100 miles to the closest public OHV area, there's no place to charge up. Maybe they'll put a 220v recharging station so we can sit for 4 hours and recharge.

I'm interested to see the price point...

I'm also curious why it won't be put into something like the Patriot? That would be a perfect target. We see alot of "cross overs" and I don't think any of them are alternative drive systems (Hybrid/EV)

[Belfast]

Oct 2, 2008 6:03:51 GMT -5 sylvanis said:

I'm also curious why it won't be put into something like the Patriot? That would be a perfect target. We see alot of "cross overs" and I don't think any of them are alternative drive systems (Hybrid/EV)

I am wondering the same thing. The Wrangler is less susceptible to gas prices as people are buying the image and the "freedom" (and some of us actually buy it for its capability).

The Patriot or Liberty seem like better fits in my mind since they have more mall-crawlers and get pathetic mileage with their current engine options (I get 24mpg with my Patriot if I am very conservative - not very good for a little 4-banger in my opinion).