Photo: Ram Trucks
Almost two years ago, Stellantis unveiled its first electric pickup truck, the Ram 1500 REV. Slated to enter production in 2024, the RAM pickup has been delayed until late in 2024 and then early 2025. Stellantis announced a new delay, with the Ram 1500 REV unlikely to arrive in the first half of 2025. It looks like the carmaker is playing it safe in light of the upcoming Trump administration.
Stellantis is the only Detroit Three carmaker that still doesn't have an electric vehicle in the US (and no, the tiny Fiat 500e does not count). Intriguingly, that's not for the lack of trying. Stellantis has promised to flood the market with ground-breaking EVs that would make all other competing models look outdated or at least unattractive. Among them were the Jeep Wagoneer S and the Ram 1500 REV, both planned to start sales in 2024.
The electric pickup truck was especially important, as the US market sought an electric offering in its highly popular full-size truck segment. At the time, Ford and GM were already selling the F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV. Tesla was also preparing its Cybertruck, while Rivian's smaller pickup, the R1T, faced supply chain issues affecting production.
The Ram 1500 REV looked like a winner on paper, with the largest range available (500 miles) and the largest tow capacity (14,000 lbs./6,350 kg). However, that meant nothing, considering Stellantis wasn't ready to build it. The market launch was delayed from the second half of 2024 to early 2025. Stellantis announced a new delay, with the electric pickup truck now pushed back until the first half of 2025, citing the need to ensure quality.
As a bizarre timing, the carmaker revealed more details about the STLA Frame architecture underpinning the Ram 1500 REV and its range extender variant Ram 1500 Ramcharger. This makes people believe that future vehicles using it are still a work in progress, despite Stellantis reiterating the objectives announced with the Ram 1500 REV in April 2023. While the STLA Frame supports gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains, it's unclear whether we'll see ICE variants of the Ram pickups arriving sooner.
Stellantis hasn't offered a reason for the new delays other than the need to ensure quality and "a very significant amount of work" the carmaker is facing. The decision comes after signs that the market might not be so keen on adopting electric pickups after all. Electric pickup truck buyers were disappointed by the limited range, especially while towing. The decision could also mean Stellantis is playing it safe, as Trump's transition team signaled a move to kill the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Stellantis is in a dire position in the US, as its inventories are at the highest level in history, and sales are lagging behind competition. Thanks to popular Jeep and Ram vehicles, the US market historically brought fat profits for Stellantis. However, this changed when existing models lost their shine, and Stellantis failed to make investments to launch new models.
Although the carmaker announced models like the Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep Wagoneer S, and Ram 1500 REV, it has been reluctant to start producing them, which appears to continue well into 2025. Stellantis looks more willing to pay fines or buy regulatory credits than actually begin selling its own EVs in the US. But it also hopes that Trump will stop the EV transition so it can return to business as usual.
The electric pickup truck was especially important, as the US market sought an electric offering in its highly popular full-size truck segment. At the time, Ford and GM were already selling the F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV. Tesla was also preparing its Cybertruck, while Rivian's smaller pickup, the R1T, faced supply chain issues affecting production.
The Ram 1500 REV looked like a winner on paper, with the largest range available (500 miles) and the largest tow capacity (14,000 lbs./6,350 kg). However, that meant nothing, considering Stellantis wasn't ready to build it. The market launch was delayed from the second half of 2024 to early 2025. Stellantis announced a new delay, with the electric pickup truck now pushed back until the first half of 2025, citing the need to ensure quality.
As a bizarre timing, the carmaker revealed more details about the STLA Frame architecture underpinning the Ram 1500 REV and its range extender variant Ram 1500 Ramcharger. This makes people believe that future vehicles using it are still a work in progress, despite Stellantis reiterating the objectives announced with the Ram 1500 REV in April 2023. While the STLA Frame supports gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains, it's unclear whether we'll see ICE variants of the Ram pickups arriving sooner.
Stellantis hasn't offered a reason for the new delays other than the need to ensure quality and "a very significant amount of work" the carmaker is facing. The decision comes after signs that the market might not be so keen on adopting electric pickups after all. Electric pickup truck buyers were disappointed by the limited range, especially while towing. The decision could also mean Stellantis is playing it safe, as Trump's transition team signaled a move to kill the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Stellantis is in a dire position in the US, as its inventories are at the highest level in history, and sales are lagging behind competition. Thanks to popular Jeep and Ram vehicles, the US market historically brought fat profits for Stellantis. However, this changed when existing models lost their shine, and Stellantis failed to make investments to launch new models.
Although the carmaker announced models like the Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep Wagoneer S, and Ram 1500 REV, it has been reluctant to start producing them, which appears to continue well into 2025. Stellantis looks more willing to pay fines or buy regulatory credits than actually begin selling its own EVs in the US. But it also hopes that Trump will stop the EV transition so it can return to business as usual.
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