- The Ram 1500 REV will launch in 2026, over a year later than initially planned.
- Stellantis acknowledged that market demand for half-ton EV pickups is slowing.
- The 1500 Ramcharger range-extender will debut in H1 2025, driven by demand.
In a decision that probably won’t shock anyone following the EV market, Stellantis has delayed the launch of its all-electric Ram 1500 REV yet again, this time pushing it all the way back to 2026. Why? They’re blaming “slowing industry demand” for electric trucks, which is a polite way of saying customers aren’t exactly lining up to trade their gas-guzzling trucks for battery-powered workhorses.
But don’t worry, Stellantis has a Plan B: the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, a range-extender version of the truck now scheduled to arrive in 2025 to help bridge the gap.
More: Ex-CEO Tavares Personally Killed The Hemi V8, Stellantis Insiders Reveal
Unveiled in early 2023, the Ram 1500 REV was initially promised for a late 2024 market launch as the brand’s first electric offering. However, Stellantis recently pushed the rollout to early 2025, with former CEO Carlos Tavares insisting they didn’t want to rush such an important model. Now, the company has pushed the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck rival all the way to 2026, revealing the real reason behind their hesitation.
Consumer Preferences Drive Decision
According to Stellantis, the decision to prioritize the range-extender version over the EV was driven by “overwhelming consumer interest,” the need to “maintain a competitive advantage in the technology,” and “slowing industry demand for half-ton BEV pickups.” In simpler terms, customers seem to favor the Ramcharger’s extended range, which also makes it less dependent on the still-developing charging infrastructure.
The Ramcharger runs on a 3.6-liter V6 engine that acts as a generator for the 92 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 690 miles (1,110 km), compared to the 500 miles (805 km) offered by the all-electric version. It’s also packing a bit more punch, delivering 663 hp (494 kW / 672 PS), slightly edging out the 1500 REV’s 654 hp (448 kW / 663 PS), though we doubt anyone would notice the difference.
Production of the Ram 1500 will “primarily” take place at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, covering both the electrified and traditional ICE versions.
Leadership Shake-Up
This shift in strategy coincides with a change in leadership for the Ram brand. Tim Kuniskis, a 32-year company veteran known for breathing life into Dodge with the Hellcat lineup, has returned to his post as CEO of Ram after retiring in June from his role overseeing both Ram and Dodge. He replaces Chris Feuell, following the fallout from Carlos Tavares’ resignation as Stellantis CEO. Kuniskis steps into his new position at a crucial moment for Stellantis, as the company works to balance its electrification ambitions with the realities of current market demand.
