Ram Abandons All-Electric Pickup, Shifts Focus to Extended-Range Model
Detroit, MI – In a notable shift in strategy, Ram Trucks announced Friday it is halting development of a fully electric, battery-powered 1500 pickup. Parent company Stellantis cited softening demand for all-electric full-size trucks as the key driver behind the decision.
Instead,Ram will concentrate on the “extended-range” Ram 1500 REV – previously known as the Ramcharger – a vehicle that combines a battery with a gasoline generator to achieve an estimated 690 miles of total range. The move represents a pivot away from a purely electric future for the brand’s flagship pickup.
“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,” the company stated. “As part of this, ram is renaming its REEV-powered pickup to Ram 1500 REV. This vehicle will set a new benchmark in the half-ton segment, offering exceptional range, towing capability and payload performance.”
The name change adds a layer of complexity to the rollout, but the core takeaway is clear: Ram is betting on a hybrid approach to electrification, offering consumers a bridge between customary combustion engines and fully electric power.
This decision marks a departure from stellantis’ ambitious plan, unveiled in 2022, to launch more than 25 all-new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of the decade. The all-electric Ram 1500 REV was initially a centerpiece of this strategy, generating considerable buzz with its unveiling at CES 2023 and subsequent showcases.