The turn is brutal, almost disconcerting. Stellantis has decided to discontinue all its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) programs in North America, starting with the 2026 model year. A decision with far-reaching consequences for a group that until recently claimed a leading position in this segment in the USA.
The sudden end of iconic PHEVs
The first victims of this decision are models that are highly identified by the American public: the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV MPV. All will disappear from the catalog at the beginning of 2026. A strong signal, confirmed by the discreet withdrawal of these models from the configurators on official Jeep websites in recent days. When asked about the future of plug-in hybrids, the Group leaves little room for doubt: Stellantis plans to "phase out PHEV programs in North America" in order to concentrate on electrified solutions deemed more competitive, notably non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs) and range-extending electric vehicles.
This choice marks a clear turnaround. As recently as 2024, Stellantis was promoting its dominance of the American PHEV market, with Jeep as the figurehead. At that time, the brand alone was aiming for 160,000 to 170,000 plug-in hybrid deliveries a year, or more than 40 % of the segment's US market. But the context has changed. Demand has slowed, customer expectations have evolved and, above all, the regulatory environment has become less restrictive. Plug-in hybrids also had a tactical role to play: offsetting the high emissions of pick-ups and SUVs to meet federal standards. A challenge that has become less pressing with the relaxation of certain rules and the end of federal incentives, which were as high as $7,500 under the Biden administration.
Reliability, recalls and a battered image
It's also impossible to ignore the industrial difficulties encountered by the Group's PHEVs. In 2025, almost 375,000 Jeep plug-in hybrids were recalled for battery-related problems, with fire hazards and temporary marketing stoppages. Officially, Stellantis assures us that these recalls are not directly linked to the discontinuation of the models. In fact, they have clearly weighed in the balance, both financially and in terms of image. Even the 4xe technology, so highly prized by Jeep, is set to evolve. The name will not disappear, but will be reused in the future for extended-range electric vehicles, such as certain future variants of the Grand Wagoneer or the Ram 1500 REV.
The hybrid isn't dead, it's just changing shape
However, this decision does not signal the end of hybridization at Stellantis. From now on, the group seems to be clearly banking on HEV. The new Jeep Cherokee 2026 is a perfect illustration of this: offered exclusively with a non-rechargeable hybrid engine, it inaugurates a new generation of powertrains, including the recent 1.6 L HEV. This repositioning also concerns other Group brands. The Alfa Romeo Tonale will also lose its plug-in hybrid version in North America, confirming that PHEV technology is now considered expensive, complex and insufficiently efficient to meet the current expectations of the North American market (which, as a reminder, has exclusive rights to the Tonale with a 2.0L GME engine).
One big unknown remains: the medium-term future. Antonio Filosa's new industrial plan should provide clearer answers. Will Stellantis focus exclusively on the HEV and electric range-extender duo? Or could the PHEV return in a more mature, reliable form, better suited to real-world use? This decision in North America is not currently planned for Europe, a market where the group sorely needs to reduce its co2 emissions, but it may give an indication of the technology towards which Stellantis wishes to move.
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It's not a bad thing. The PHEV, with current resources, is a heresy. It's a cheap way for manufacturers to lower their emissions without really bothering. It combines the disadvantages of electric vehicles (range, weight, recharging point) with those of combustion engines (reliability, expensive maintenance) without any of the advantages of both. Only the dealer will be able to find some use for this outdated technology. The HEV is far more optimized. It's even become a selling point. We even hear it in ads: "Hybrid without recharging".
The PHEV is great if you can drive an EV every day and charge it at home. And in terms of reliability, there's no real difference from an HEV.
Bonjour pour ma part ke me suis fait avoirpar Stellantis véhicule Fiat 600 hybride neuve tout mes mois au garage et la depuis le 16oct 25 ayant craqué avec eux ils m'ont pris le véhicule pour réparations encore et encore j'ai toujours pas récupéré mon véhicule tu investi 30000€ pour du neuf et tu te retrouve avec une occasion au final que des problèmes sur problèmes j'attends donc le remboursement de mon véhicule si ils veulent bien avoir un brin de sérieux et honnêteté envers le client en l'occurrence moi je suis privée de mon véhicule inadmissible
Yes, I too bought a Fiat 600 from the garage in November and it's still not completely repaired. It's still missing a code or something, so I'm waiting.
Stelantis or is there a pilot in the plane?
And what can we say about its turnaround in the hydrogen sector, with its abrupt exit from the Franco-French consortium at Saint Fons near Lyon decided at the end of 2024..... with 800 million euros of European funding for this Giga factory * so our money * and 530 people, including top-flight engineers and technicians, on the chopping block.
To the strategic committees of our major groups....
Appalling!
Lighten up BEFORE electrifying and stop taking customers for guinea pigs!!!!
The consequences of Tavares' bad strategy of wanting to sell more expensively and launching his new models exclusively in electric, when the customer prefers combustion engines that are not available at launch. Today, Olivier François, CEO of Fiat, realizes that Fiat cars are too expensive, and is finally waking up to the need for a manual gearbox version of the 600, even though the Avenger was already available on certain markets. What incompetence on the part of Stellantis management.
24 plate panda mild hybrid a shadow of the 1.2 it replaced,dies a death,ifu show an incline,no power,less economy,big price rise had 6 Panda's this will be the last.
I have a friend who bought a jeep renegade hybrid in September 2025 and since then the vehicle has spent more time in the garage than on the road. For me, stelantis has to run away from the purtech engine problems and the rest. I much prefer Chinese vehicles to Peugeot and Citroën, which are very nice but only flashy.
Ho acquistato una 600 elettrica da 6 mesi che è in officina e non me e stata ancora consegnata non è più la FIAT di una volta