Stellantis to Turn Chrysler Into All-Electric Brand by 2028

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Chrysler was once a boom automaker with stylish, iconic cars. Now, things aren't the same. The brand only has three vehicles for sale and two of them are the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. The other, the 300, hasn't changed in roughly 11 years. Under FCA, Chrysler was floundering, flailing and riding on the coattails of the Pacifica. With Stellantis now at the reigns, Chrysler is going to change. During this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Chrysler stated it will stop making gas-powered vehicles by 2028.

Chrysler Going All-Electric

This decision makes sense for both Stellantis and Chrysler. With only three vehicles in the lineup, Stellantis won't have to spend millions into electrifying the brand's entire lineup. Additionally, the Chrysler lineup is in need of a major overhaul if it wants to compete with more modern options from competitors. Instead of spending money on modernizing the lineup, Stellantis can just make the switch that the majority of other brands are making to have an automaker that will be ahead of the curve instead of woefully behind it.

If there's one downside with the plan, it's that Chrysler doesn't have any all-electric vehicles on sale and hasn't even hinted at the possibility of an EV going on sale in the future. Along with the announcement to go all-electric, Chrysler showcased the Chrysler Airflow Concept. The all-wheel-drive, all-electric SUV provides a glimpse of the type of EVs we can see from Chrysler in the future. Its two-motor configuration gives it all-wheel drive, while its battery pack results in a range of between 350 and 400 miles.

While Chrysler didn't say anything about the Chrysler Airflow Concept going into production, we're almost certain that at least one of the automaker's upcoming electric cars will share some of the qualities that the concept has. We say this, because the brand's first electric vehicle will come out in 2025. Additionally, Chrysler's first electric car will be a crossover. In total, Chrysler plans to have roughly three all-electric vehicles on sale by 2028.

What Can We Expect To See?

Chrysler will act as Stellantis' main brand going into the all-electric charge. Stellantis announced a plan to invest $35.5 billion into electric vehicles last year, so Chrysler will certainly get a large portion of that as it leads the way forward.

"The Chrysler Airflow Concept represents the future direction of the Chrysler brand, providing a peek at the dynamic design, advanced technologies and seamless connectivity that will characterize the full-electric portfolio we plan to reach by 2028," said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO - Stellantis. "Chrysler is an iconic American automotive brand, with a heritage in creating new advanced technologies and product segments. Our brand will serve at the forefront as Stellantis transforms to deliver clean mobility and connected customer experiences."

The Chrysler Airflow Concept does have a few features that the brand could use going forward. The concept features the brand's STLA Brain platform, along with the STLA SmartCockpit that is meant to "deliver seamless connectivity to transform the experience for driver and passengers."  The STLA Brain is seen as the software and electrical/electronic architecture, while the STLA SmartCockpit refers to the tech inside the vehicle like the navigation, voice assistance, and payment services for AI-based applications.

Making Chrysler go electric is definitely the right thing for Stellantis. Whether the brand comes out with an EV that can take on Tesla, BMW, Audi, and Ford is a different matter.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods