FULLY electric Jeep models will be on the road within the next three years, according to senior European officials.

At a special event in Lonato, Lake Garda, Jeff Hines, the brand's head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), revealed the company expected to see fully electric models in showrooms in 2021-22.

At the event, media from across Europe were able to view for the first time a Jeep Renegade plug-in hybrid in top-of-the-range Trailhawk trim.

Hines said plug-in hybrids had a big part to play in the brand's European future and it would be launched here first, ahead of the UK.

The Renegade PHEV should be seen in the UK in the first three months of next year, though no price has yet been announced.

Hines said the Renegade PHEV should be able to run for some 30 miles on electric power alone, though a turbo petrol engine would ensure it could manage all terrains any conventional Jeep could tackle. Top speed in electric mode is expected to be around 80mph.

Hines said Jeep expected to reveal three PHEVs in 2020, one of which would be a version of its legendary Wrangler.

Fully electric vehicles - including an electrified Grand Cherokee and a new Grand Wagoneer - were expected in showrooms in 2021-22, said Hines.

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show Jeep displayed plug-in hybrid models of its Compass and Renegade models. Both were said to be capable of a pure electric range of 31 miles and about 80mph full electric top speed.

Electric units work in synergy with Jeep's new 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine to increase efficiency and power.

For the Renegade, Jeep says the power sits in the 190hp and 240hp range resulting in performance of 0-62mph in around seven seconds.

The brand says the same figures are also achievable by the Compass PHEV, making it the fastest example of the model ever.

Jeep also claim the electrification further improves its legendary off-road capability thanks to the extra torque offered by the electric motor and the ability to adjust it with extreme precision while driving on challenging terrain, where a very low transmission ratio is needed.

Because of its new electric all-wheel drive technology - eAWD - traction to the rear axle is not provided by a prop shaft but through a dedicated electric motor. This allows the two axles to be separated and to control the torque independently in a more effective way than a mechanical system.