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With deliveries of its first all-electric SUV in the US right around the corner, Jeep’s second EV is almost ready for its official debut. The upcoming Recon EV, inspired by the legendary Wrangler, was spotted in transit for the first time. At first, the electric SUV looks a bit like a Ford Bronco Sport or a Toyota Land Cruiser.

Jeep shook the internet after revealing plans to launch four new EVs back in September 2022. Its first global electric SUV, the Wagoneer S, will reach US dealers in the coming weeks.

However, Jeep’s upcoming Recon EV may be an even bigger hit with the rugged SUV maker’s loyal followers. The Recon is “inspired by the legendary Wrangler,” according to Jeep. Like the Wrangler, it will feature options like removable doors and windows.

Former Jeep North American boss Jim Morrison claimed the off-road electric SUV “has the capability to cross the mighty Rubicon Trail.” More importantly, it can “reach the end of the trail with enough range to drive back to town and recharge,” Morrison added.

Jeep brand CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed earlier this year that the Recon EV will likely launch by the end of 2024 ahead of sales next year.

We caught a glimpse of the off-road Recon Moab 4xe trim after images leaked from a dealer event in Las Vegas last March.

Jeep's-Wrangler-Recon-EV
Jeep Recon Moab 4xe (source: Jeep Recon Forum)

Jeep’s Wrangler-like Recon EV spotted in transit

We are now getting our first look at the preproduction models as the official debut approaches.

The new images from TFLCar (you can view them here) show the 2025 Jeep Recon EV in transit near Laredo, Texas. According to the report, the models were being shipped from Stellantis’ Toluca, Mexico, assembly plant.

You can see the Recon features a more aggressive design, as you would expect from a “Wrangler-inspired” EV.

The vehicle is unmistakably a Jeep with the brand’s classic grille design. However, at a quick glance, it could also pass as a Ford Bronco Sport.

Jeep-Wrangler-Recon-EV
Jeep Recon EV (Source: Stellantis)

Although prices and specs have yet to be revealed, Filosa confirmed the Recon EV will ride on the STLA Large Platform, which also underpins the Wagoneer S.

The Wagoneer S is expected to arrive at dealerships in the US this fall, although Filosa recently told Automotive News that the electric SUV must be in “perfect quality” to launch.

Jeep’s first electric SUV starts at $71,995 with over 300 miles range and 600 hp. The Trailhawk edition is expected to cost about $5,000 to $10,000 more with off-road upgrades like Rock Mode and added rugged design elements.

The Recon EV is expected to start at around $60,000, but more capable (Rubicon) or premium (Sahara) trims could cost upwards of $80,000. Stay tuned for more as Jeep prepares to launch its second EV in the US.

Source: TFLCar, Jeep Recon Forum

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U.S. crude oil falls below $60 a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears

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U.S. crude oil falls below  a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. 

Pavel Mikheyev | Reuters

U.S. oil prices dropped below $60 a barrel on Sunday on fears President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would push the U.S., and maybe the world, into a recession.

Futures tied to U.S. West Texas intermediate crude fell more than 3% to $59.74 on Sunday night. The move comes after back-to-back 6% declines last week. WTI is now at the lowest since April 2021.

Worries are mounting that tariffs could lead to higher prices for businesses, which could lead to a slowdown in economic activity that would ultimately hurt demand for oil.

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Oil futures, 5 years

The tariffs, which are set to take effect this week, “would likely push the U.S. and possibly global economy into recession this year,” according to JPMorgan. The firm on Thursday raised its odds of a recession this year to 60% following the tariff rollout, up from 40%.

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What EV sales slump? Illinois’ EV sales outpace the nation by 4:1

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What EV sales slump? Illinois' EV sales outpace the nation by 4:1

Fueled by incentives from the Illinois EPA and the state’s largest utility company, new EV registrations nearly quadrupled the 12% first-quarter increase in EV registrations nationally – and there are no signs the state is slowing down.

Despite the dramatic slowdown of Tesla’s US deliveries, sales of electric vehicles overall have perked up in recent months, with Illinois’ EV adoption rate well above the Q1 uptick nationally. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the number of new EVs registered across the state totaled 9,821 January through March, compared with “just” 6,535 EVs registered in the state during the same period in 2024.

Those numbers represent more than 50% growth in EV registrations – far beyond the expected 12% first-quarter increase nationally being projected by Cox Automotive. (!)

What’s going on in Illinois?

File:Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker (33167937268).jpg
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at the Chicago Auto Show; by Ray Cunningham.

While President Trump and Elmo were running for re-election, they campaigned on the threat promise of canceling the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker made countermoves – launching a $4,000 rebate for new electric cars and up to $1,500 for the purchase of a new electric motorcycle.

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At the same time, the state’s largest utility, ComEd, launched a $90 million EV incentive program featuring a new Point of Purchase initiative to deliver instant discounts to qualifying business and public sector customers who make the switch to electric vehicles. That program has driven a surge in Class 3-6 medium duty commercial EVs, which are eligible fro $20-30,000 in utility rebates on top of federal tax credits and other incentives (Class 1-2 EVs are eligible for up to $7,500).

We covered the launch of those incentives when the program was announced at Chicago Drives Electric last year, but the message here is simple: incentives work.

SOURCES: Chicago Business, Ray Cunningham; featured image by the author.

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XCMG launches XE215EV battery swap electric excavator ahead of bauma

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XCMG launches XE215EV battery swap electric excavator ahead of bauma

The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.

Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.

XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.

We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).

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XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?

Easy in, easy out

XCMG battery swap crane; via Etrucks New Zealand.

The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.

You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.

SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG.

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