You can almost hear the collection of sighs of Stellantis dealers all over America. Ram has ended development of the fully electric version of its 1500 pickup, known as the REV, citing slowing demand for large battery-powered trucks in the U.S. market. The name will instead be used for a range-extended model formerly called the Ramcharger, which pairs electric drive with a gasoline generator to extend range.
The move comes after Ram had already pared back ambitions for its electric pickup earlier this year, dropping plans for a 500-mile battery pack option that was considered a selling point when the truck was unveiled. Without a full BEV, Ram now falls behind Ford and General Motors, which continue to offer the F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV.
Instead, Ram will press ahead with the range-extended version, which will now take on the 1500 REV badge. That truck is designed to run on electric power but uses a gasoline engine to generate electricity on longer trips. The company said this approach addresses customer concerns about range, towing and charging infrastructure.
The cancellation underscores the cooling pace of EV adoption in the United States. While sales of battery-powered vehicles continue to grow, the market for full-size electric trucks has slowed. Analysts point to persistent worries over charging speed, towing capacity and sticker prices, all of which have limited demand compared with early projections.
Ram has recently leaned more heavily into traditional offerings. In June, the company reversed its earlier decision to drop the HEMI V-8, bringing it back to the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup with eTorque hybrid technology after significant customer backlash. Tim Kuniskis, global CEO of Ram, acknowledged that misstep, saying, “Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it.”
By retreating from a full EV pickup, Ram conserves resources and avoids betting heavily on a segment that has yet to find consistent footing. But it also risks ceding ground to competitors if demand for electric trucks rebounds in the coming years. The F-150 Lightning remains on sale, albeit at lower volumes than Ford once projected, and Chevrolet is moving ahead with deliveries of the Silverado EV.
The rebranded Ram 1500 REV will be closely watched when it arrives. Buyers will want clarity on towing ratings, payload, charging capability and electric-only range, all of which will determine whether it can stand apart from hybrid and plug-in rivals. Pricing will also be a factor, with large battery packs driving costs higher across the industry.
For Stellantis, the pivot reflects a balance between responding to regulatory pressure and satisfying customers who continue to favor gasoline power. The company has committed to electrification across its brands, but in Ram’s case, executives said the shift was necessary to meet buyers where they are today.
The decision illustrates a broader reality in the truck market: electrification is not moving forward at the same pace for every segment. For now, Ram is betting that range-extended technology and traditional engines will satisfy demand while keeping the brand competitive. Whether that gamble pays off will depend on how quickly customer preferences — and government policies — evolve.