One More Time : Ram Pushes Back Its Electrified Pickup Trucks

• The electric Ram 1500 is pushed back for a second time.

• Thankfully, the hybrid truck is only postponed a few months.

In a new twist, Stellantis has just announced that it is once again postponing the launch of its fully electric Ram 1500 pickup, commonly referred to as the REV. Originally, the model was supposed to hit the roads in 2024, but that launch had already been delayed to 2026. Now, those interested in the electric Ram 1500 will have to wait until summer 2027, as the truck will be part of the 2028 model year.

At the same time, the extended-range hybrid version, known as the Ramcharger, is also being pushed back. Initially expected by the end of 2025 as a 2026 model, the hybrid Ram will now have to sit on the sidelines a little longer, with its launch rescheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

Stellantis sent a memo to its suppliers earlier this week—a document reviewed by Detroit Business, a Crain Communications affiliate—stating that the slowdown in EV demand is one of the reasons for the delay. Ram appears to be positioning itself as a producer of light-duty trucks with a variety of powertrain options, rather than committing entire factories solely to electric pickup production, as GM and Ford have already done with their respective vehicles.

At the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, the gas, hybrid, and electric versions of the Ram 1500 will be built side by side. This production strategy helps limit industrial risks in the event of fluctuating demand.

This new delay is a hard blow for certain suppliers, particularly those who had anticipated a surge in electric vehicle production and invested heavily in EV-specific components. But at a time when electric pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV are struggling to gain traction, Stellantis’ more flexible approach may prove to be a winning strategy.

Rather than trying to lead the electric race, the group now seems focused on pragmatism. In a rapidly shifting market, slow and steady may be the smarter path forward. Ironically, Stellantis was criticized just a few years ago for being late to the electric pickup game—having been beaten to market by Ford, GM, as well as Rivian and Tesla—but it’s becoming clear that the company’s leadership may have been wise to wait.