Stellantis has been granted a U.S. patent for a three-speed gearbox designed for electric vehicles, a move that could significantly improve both off-road performance and highway efficiency for future models across its brands such as Jeep, Ram, and Dodge.
The patent, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 25, 2023, and granted on May 1, 2025, details a compact electric drive unit featuring two planetary gearsets and four clutches. The system delivers three distinct gear ratios tailored to varying driving conditions—ranging from high-torque rock crawling to optimized efficiency for highway cruising.
In the filing, Stellantis explained the utility of each gear: “The first gear ratio uses the third clutch to tie the motor directly to the sun gear of the first planetary gearset, while the first clutch locks the carrier to the housing.” This configuration is engineered to maximize torque for towing or off-road scenarios like deep snow or rocky terrain.
The second gear prioritizes regular driving dynamics by “locking the sun gear to the housing (via the second clutch) and sending torque through the carrier using the fourth clutch,” while the final gear configuration delivers a direct 1:1 output ratio by linking the motor shaft to both the sun gear and carrier.
Although Stellantis has not confirmed any upcoming vehicles to feature the new system, industry watchers, including MoparInsiders, suggest that future electric Ram trucks, Jeep off-roaders, and Dodge performance cars are likely candidates.
The gearbox design underscores Stellantis’ continued focus on enhancing the versatility of electric powertrains, particularly as the group accelerates its EV ambitions across North America and Europe.
Source: motor1.com
