There is a lot of retrenchment in the EV space right now (despite, for the moment, overall growth), and there are a lot of factors in play. For one, demand, though growing, is lower than projected by many automakers. The incoming administrationโs desire to curtail EV subsidies is another. And thereโs always simply the pure profit motive. Automakers make a lot of money on gas-powered trucks, less on almost everything else. All of these factors, it seems, have conspired to scrap Ram’s once-promised ultra-long-range large battery option for its upcoming 1500 REV electric truck.
And by large, we mean very large. At 229-kWh, the bestial pack would have given the 1500 REV a theoretical maximum range of 500 miles. This pack would power a very healthy electric powertrain, with output estimated to be 654 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, providing a 0โ60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. And itโd tow 14,000 pounds. Those all sound like very stout numbers. Even the smaller-battery 1500 REV, with 168 kWh and an estimated 350-mile range, would be no slouch in terms of battery size (very large!) and range (excellent).
It looks like potential buyers will have to make do with โonlyโ 168 kWh. What appears to be an email to suppliers asking them to stop work on components for the 229-kWh truck was recently published by Mopar Insiders based on a tip from what that outlet characterizes as a very reputable source. The note says that work will continue as planned on the normal-range 1500 REV.
A Ram spokesperson didnโt directly confirm or deny the veracity of the email when asked by MotorTrend, but indicated that the move is related to the decision to move the launch of the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger extended-range EV (EREV) ahead of the EV-only pickup. The 1500 REV was originally going to launch first. Given all of the change and uncertainty described above, not to mention the turmoil at Ram parent company Stellantis in general, shuffling the even-longer-range Ramcharger to the head of the line might be prudent.
Launch order and reduced battery options aside, the real hurdle that Ram may face with its two electrified 1500 pickups is price. Former CEO Carlos Tavares famously refused to bow to American dealer demands for relief with high pricing and low incentives, which appears to have harmed sales figures. With Tavares out, former Dodge CEO and bona fide car guy Tim Kuniskis at the helm of Ram, and John Elkann now running Stellantis, itโs an open question as to whether Ram will be able to price the 1500 REV competitively. Time will tell.
