According to Stellantis, the owning company of Ram, interest in electric vehicles (EVs) has fallen in the North American market. The planned Ram 1500 REV was to be a fully electric pickup that was released in concept form in early 2023. It was expected for market release in late 2024. The deadline was delayed to 2025, then 2026, and most recently to mid-2027.
On Friday, Sept. 12 however, Stellantis announced the project’s cancellation. “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 spokesman for the company stated.
The Ram 1500 REV had impressive specifications, with an estimated 229-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a driving range of 500 miles. This set the truck to directly rival existing fully electric trucks such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T.
In turn, the extended-range truck planned by Ram will be confusingly renamed from the “Ramcharger” to the “Ram 1500 REV.” An extended-range truck is not fully electric, rather it has a gas engine that powers an internal battery. So although it will feel and drive like an EV, the driver would not charge the vehicle, they would simply fill up the tank.
Ram’s original strategy, titled Dare Forward 2030, focused on sustainability. The plan was released in 2022, though the new Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis has been fervently rolling back many of the company’s EV goals.
Why the shift away from EV? Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa and other company officials have cited a number of reasons.
“We lost a lot of market share,” Filosa stated. He pointed towards the discontinuation of many iconic models. This included the Jeep Cherokee, the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300.
Filosa mentioned that the company had to reassess priorities and growth over suitability goals. “Business growth starts by launching products our consumers are waiting for.”
Secondly, the auto industry as a whole has experienced a slower than anticipated acceptance of electric vehicles, particularly for pickup trucks. Consumers often reference towing, hauling and range difficulties, and are not entirely convinced EVs live up to their environmentally friendly image. Costs of a full-sized battery capable of meeting consumer demands also remains high.
Federal support for the electric vehicle industry has waned, with the new Trump administration looking to roll back Biden- era policies that favored a green automotive transition. The new administration has also canceled tax credits for buying EVs. These developments have prompted many other car brands beyond Stellantis to limit their EV plans. Sales for many EV pickups, such as Ford’s F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck, have been less than originally predicted.
The range-extended Ram 1500 REV is slated for release in early 2026, though considering the various delays Ram has recently faced, the timing ought to be considered tentative. Filosa remains confident in the new direction the company is taking, and has proudly announced the new Ram 1500 REV will be the first large pickup truck with a range-extended powertrain to be released.
