In a significant stride toward electrifying their vehicle lineup, Stellantis NV, the parent company of Chrysler, has unveiled the eagerly anticipated electric Ram pickup truck. This remarkable vehicle, the 2025 model year Ram 1500 REV, made its debut at the New York Auto Show, where it’s set to captivate auto enthusiasts until April 16. Expected to hit the market in late 2024, the Ram EV marks a pivotal move by the French-Italian automaker in the North American electric vehicle segment.
Boasting an impressive range of up to 500 miles (804 km), the Ram 1500 REV achieves this through an optional, more substantial 229-kilowatt battery pack. Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares, emphasized that the location for manufacturing this groundbreaking EV truck in the U.S. would be announced shortly, as the company refines its strategy.
Tavares expressed confidence in the Ram’s appeal to consumers, stating that it will outperform other electric trucks in terms of range, charging speed, towing capacity, and various other critical factors. He anticipates that the Ram’s unveiling will put pressure on rival manufacturers to match or exceed its performance.
Notably, the Ram’s introduction in late 2024 follows other electric trucks, such as the Rivian R1T and Ford’s F-150 Lightning, which have already entered the market. General Motors is planning to launch electric Chevrolet Silverado pickups later this year, while Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck is scheduled for release from a Texas factory.
The Ram EV truck will be constructed on a new body-on-frame architecture designed for full-size electric vehicles, capable of towing up to 14,000 lbs and carrying a payload of up to 2,700 lbs. It offers a range of up to 350 miles with a standard 168-kilowatt battery pack, extendable to 500 miles with the optional 229-kilowatt battery.
Stellantis didn’t stop at the Ram; they also introduced the 2024 model plug-in hybrid electric Jeep Wrangler at the auto show. Notably, the company has set a remarkable goal to ensure that 50% of Jeep brand sales in the U.S. will be battery-electric by 2030.
Tavares has laid out ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, with the goal of achieving 100% electric car sales in Europe and 50% electric car and light-duty truck sales in the U.S. by the end of the decade. These efforts are driven by the global push for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation.
While the shift towards electrification and advanced software development has posed challenges for automakers due to high costs, U.S. lawmakers have recently approved substantial incentives for EV battery production and consumer tax credits. This policy change is expected to further accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Automakers face increasing pressure to meet stringent vehicle emissions standards in the U.S. and Europe, along with mandates from states like California to increase the sale of electric vehicles. California, for instance, is planning to require that all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the state by 2035 be electric or plug-in electric hybrids, pending approval by the Biden administration. These developments underscore the rapid transformation of the automotive industry towards a greener and more sustainable future.
