Uttam Kumar
Stellantis announced Friday it will stop developing its planned all-electric Ram 1500 pickup truck, citing slower-than-expected demand for battery-powered trucks in North America. The company will instead focus on the range-extended electric vehicle that was previously known as the Ramcharger.
“As demand for full-size battery electric trucks slows in North America, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
The canceled truck was originally unveiled during the 2023 Super Bowl and was planned to include two battery options – a standard 168 kWh battery with around 350 miles of range and a massive 229 kWh battery that would deliver up to 500 miles on a single charge. These battery packs would have been significantly larger than those in competing electric trucks.
The all-electric Ram truck had already faced multiple delays. Initially set to arrive in showrooms by the end of 2024, the launch was pushed back twice – first to 2025, then to 2026, with supplier guidance suggesting mid-2027 before this final cancellation.
In a surprising move, Stellantis also announced that the name “Ram 1500 REV” will now be used for the range-extended truck that was previously called the Ramcharger. This vehicle combines electric motors with a gas-powered generator system.
Unlike a traditional hybrid, the range-extended truck uses a 3.6-liter V6 gas engine that doesn’t directly power the wheels. Instead, it works as a generator to charge the 92 kWh battery pack that powers the electric motors. This setup allows for about 145 miles of all-electric driving, with a total driving range of up to 690 miles when using both electricity and gas.
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The renamed Ram 1500 REV will offer up to 647 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of about 4.4 seconds. It’s expected to tow up to 14,000 pounds and carry a payload of up to 2,625 pounds.
The shift in strategy comes as Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis works on an aggressive turnaround for the brand. It also aligns with new Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa’s efforts to dial back some initiatives set by former CEO Carlos Tavares and “make the tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth.”
Stellantis isn’t alone in reconsidering its electric truck plans. The auto industry overall has been dealing with slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles. Ford’s F-150 Lightning sales are down compared to last year, and the company has delayed its next-generation electric pickup to 2028.
The market shift comes alongside reduced federal support for EVs and concerns from pickup buyers about range, especially when towing. The range-extended approach may appeal to truck buyers worried about charging infrastructure in rural areas or those who regularly tow heavy loads.
Both the canceled all-electric Ram and the range-extended model were planned to be built at Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, where the company is investing $235.5 million to prepare for production.
The renamed Ram 1500 REV with its range-extender technology is expected to arrive in early 2026, according to recent company statements. For truck buyers interested in alternatives to traditional gas engines, this hybrid approach may offer a middle ground – combining some benefits of electric driving with the security of a gas backup system for longer trips or heavy towing.
