Dive Brief:
- Stellantis has canceled its fully-electric Ram pickup, which was originally slated to debut this year in North America, the automaker announced in a Sept. 12 press release.
- The decision to axe the battery-powered Ram was partially due to slowing demand for electric trucks in North America, the automaker said in a statement.
- Stellantis will instead launch a range-extended, hybrid version of the pickup, renamed the “Ram 1500 REV.” It uses a six-cylinder gas engine paired with a generator to send electricity to dual-electric motors that drive the front and rear wheels.
Dive Insight:
The Ram 1500 REV features a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and 130-kilowatt generator similar to other EVs and hybrids. But the truck is equipped with a 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine that’s not directly connected to the wheels. Instead, the engine sends mechanical power to a generator which produces electricity for propulsion and to charge the battery.
Although the 1500 REV is not a zero emissions vehicle, the hybrid design significantly improves driving range compared to an EV using battery power alone.
Targeted performance figures for the Ram 1500 REV is a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds, 663 horsepower, up to 690 miles of driving range and a 14,000 pound max towing capacity. The generator can also increase power to the motor and gearbox as needed, such as under heavy loads when towing.
“This vehicle will set a new benchmark in the half-ton segment, offering exceptional range, towing capability and payload performance,” Stellantis said in a statement.
The Ram REV also supports vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) bi-directional charging, which can be used to charge another Stellantis EV or send power back to the grid.
Stellantis had originally intended to bring the fully electric Ram pickup to market first followed by the range-extended version. But the automaker said its decision to push up the launch of the 1500 REV last December was driven by strong consumer interest, as well as its goal of maintaining a competitive advantage in extended range technology.
Still, Stellantis’ decision to cancel the electric Ram follows sluggish sales of other electric pickups in North America, including Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV from General Motors.
The new Ram REV is expected to be available in North America in 2026.
