Electric Jeep Grand Cherokee to Debut at Detroit Auto Show

AMP Electric vehicles has just announced that it will unveil an electrified version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The company has already put together a Mercedes-Benz M-Class EV and the addition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is seen as a logical step, since both vehicles share components and structure, meaning that for the Jeep, minimal changes are required for EV conversion.

Although not a great deal of information has so far been released regarding the Grand Cherokee EV, AMP says that the vehicle is being aimed at larger fleet customers rather than low volume clients. According to Jim Taylor, AMP’s chief executive, the idea is that fleets could “buy a new gas-powered step van for $30,000, or spend the same amount of money to convert an existing vehicle to electric power.”

Fitted with a 37 kWh battery pack, the electric Grand Cherokee is said to have a range of 100 miles, based on information released from AMP. Final pricing and distributors are expected to be announced during the vehicle’s unveiling in Detroit.

AMP believes that the Grand Cherokee’s reputation and capability will appeal to the generally conservative nature of fleet customers and the company is currently in talks with organizations such as Fedex and UPS, in an effort to secure them as customers.

AMP’s previous trial with the Chevy Equinox ended because GM didn’t offer any manufacturer support, however at this juncture it would appear that the Jeep deal shows signs of being far more successful. “We got no love out of GM,” said Taylor recently. “Chrysler answered the phone when we called for the first date.”

See AutoGuide’s full Detroit Auto show coverage here.