Winches play a crucial role as off-road accessories, traditionally powered by a vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system. However, Stellantis is exploring a new power source for winches in hybrids and electric vehicles.
In a recent patent filing published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on January 21, 2025, Stellantis revealed plans to operate a winch using a gearbox connected to one of the vehicle’s electric drive motors.
Stellantis patent image of a winch geared to an electric motor
The innovative approach involves mounting the winch on the vehicle’s front bumper in a traditional manner. Instead of utilizing its own electric motor for cable spooling, the winch would be connected to a planetary gearbox and drive modules similar to those produced by Stellantis in Indiana.
The gearbox would be linked to the front axle’s differential, allowing the vehicle’s electric motor to power the winch’s spool instead of the wheels. In winch mode, the front wheels would be disengaged, and the parking brake would be activated to secure the rear wheels for enhanced stability.
Stellantis patent image of a winch geared to an electric motor
This innovative design simplifies the integration of winches into vehicles from the factory. By eliminating the need for a dedicated motor, winches become more compact and easier to position behind a bumper without causing aerodynamic drag. This advancement could benefit future Stellantis electric off-roaders like the Jeep Recon or the Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid.
Stellantis continues to innovate in the electric vehicle space, with exciting new models scheduled for release in the coming years.