Stellantis is exploring an innovative system to power winches in its electric and hybrid vehicles.
According to a patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on January 21, 2025, the company proposes to use an electric motor instead of relying on the battery to operate these devices.
This development represents a significant advance in the integration of technologies in the automotive industry.
The future of Stellantis
The patent details a gearing system that links the winch with a traction motor of the vehicle. Instead of using a dedicated electric motor for the winch, this new approach allows an already present motor in the vehicle, commonly used for propelling it, to operate the winch.
This modification would not only facilitate the installation of winches directly from the factory, but it would also contribute to a more compact and aerodynamic design, reclassifying the use of space in the vehicle.
The system includes a specific mode for winches, which would disconnect the front wheels and activate the parking brake, ensuring stability during its operation.
This mechanism is essential to maximize the performance of the winch and ensure the safety of the vehicle while off-road recovery is needed.
The possibility of integrating winches in this way could be fundamental for future electric models from Stellantis, such as the Jeep Recon and enhanced versions of the Ram 1500.
Although the arrival of the Ram 1500 REV EV model has been delayed until late 2026, the Ramcharger model is scheduled to launch later this year.
As Stellantis moves forward in this new direction, the automotive sector is watching closely, as these changes could redefine how electric vehicles are used in off-road environments. It can be anticipated that this type of innovation could influence competition within the off-road vehicle segment.