Electric Dreams Put on Hold: Stellantis Delays All-Electric Ram Pickup
A Shift in Priorities
In a surprise move, Stellantis has announced that it will be delaying the launch of its all-electric Ram pickup from 2025 to 2026. This decision comes as the automaker faces slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles and struggles to make profits on electric trucks.
Ramcharger Takes Center Stage
Instead, Stellantis will prioritize the launch of the Ramcharger, an electric range-extended version of the truck that features a gas engine combined with EV technologies. The Ramcharger is expected to be available for customer orders in the first half of 2025, followed by the Ram 1500 REV launch in 2026.
A Change in Leadership, A Change in Strategy
This shift in priorities marks the first major change since Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis returned to the company earlier this month. Kuniskis had previously retired from Stellantis in May, but returned to the automaker following a management shake-up. He has promised changes for the embattled brand, which has reported a 24% sales decline through the third quarter of this year.
The Right Mix of Power and Range
The Ramcharger, dubbed the “Goldilocks truck” by Kuniskis, is expected to offer the perfect blend of power, range, and capabilities. As an extended-range electric vehicle, it can operate as a zero-emissions EV until its battery dies, at which point an electric onboard generator powered by a 27-gallon, 3.6-liter V6 engine kicks in to power the vehicle. Stellantis estimates the range of the Ramcharger to be up to 690 miles, including up to 145 miles powered by a 92 kilowatt-hour battery when fully charged.
A New Era for Ram
With the launch of the Ramcharger, Stellantis is hoping to turn things around for the Ram brand. Kuniskis has acknowledged that the brand has a lot of work to do, but is confident that the Ramcharger will be a game-changer. As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Stellantis and the Ram brand adapt to changing consumer demands.
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