Jeep is to launch a plug-in hybrid Renegade in early 2020 as the next step in FCA’s plan to phase out diesel vehicles by 2021.

The pre-production units of the new Jeep Renegade PHEV are scheduled next year and the FCA group has already launched the Pacifica Minivan plug-in hybrid and the mild hybrid e-Torque technology earlier this year.

By 2022, FCA will offer a total of 12 electric propulsion systems (BEV, PHEV, full hybrid and mild hybrid) in global architectures. Thirty different models will be equipped with one or more of these systems.

The FCA Melfi Plant is Italy is beginning preparations to produce the Renegade PHEV, where it will be produced alongside the Renegade and 500X combustion engine products which it already produces.

Pietro Gorlier, chief operating officer EMEA region for FCA, said: “With over 742,000 Renegades produced to date in Italy, the Melfi plant and the Renegade are the ideal location and the perfect product to launch the PHEV, further strengthening the offer of this highly successful Jeep.”