Stellantis has pulled the plug on the battery-electric Ram 1500 REV, marking another retreat in Detroit's troubled push toward electric vehicles. The company cited softening demand for full-size battery-electric trucks in North America as the primary reason for the cancellation.

"As demand for full-size battery-electric trucks slows in North America, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup," the company stated in its announcement.

The decision represents a significant pivot from Stellantis's aggressive electrification plans announced just two years ago—and signals broader challenges facing the American EV transition.

The Name Game

In a move that will confuse consumers, Stellantis isn't abandoning the "REV" name entirely. Instead, the range-extended Ramcharger—a plug-in hybrid that uses a gasoline V6 to recharge its battery—will now be sold as the Ram 1500 REV.

The rebranded Ramcharger/REV offers:

  • 92 miles of pure electric range: Enough for most daily commutes
  • 690 total miles: When combining electric and gas-extended driving
  • No range anxiety: The gas engine eliminates charging infrastructure concerns
  • $58,000 starting price: Competitive with traditional gas pickups

The strategy echoes what works in the real world: Americans like the idea of electric trucks but aren't ready to commit to pure battery power.

Why the Original REV Failed

The battery-electric Ram 1500 REV was unveiled to considerable fanfare in 2024, promising 500 miles of range and truck-appropriate capability. But several factors undermined its viability:

Charging infrastructure: Full-size trucks often operate in rural areas with limited fast-charging access. A pure EV truck that can't charge conveniently loses its primary use case.

Towing range penalty: Battery-electric vehicles lose significant range when towing heavy loads—exactly what pickup buyers need. The REV's 500-mile range could drop to 200 miles or less when pulling a trailer.

Price sensitivity: At projected pricing above $70,000, the BEV REV competed with fully-loaded gas trucks that could do more without charging concerns.

Ford's F-150 Lightning struggles: Ford's experience with the Lightning—including production cuts and slow sales—demonstrated that the full-size BEV truck market wasn't materializing as anticipated.

Detroit's Broader Retreat

Stellantis isn't alone in reconsidering EV plans. Across the traditional automakers, electrification strategies are being scaled back:

Ford: Canceled the three-row electric SUV planned for 2025, delayed next-generation electric trucks, and cut F-150 Lightning production.

General Motors: Pushed back its goal of building 1 million EVs annually, focusing instead on profitable hybrids.

Stellantis: Beyond the REV cancellation, the company has delayed the electric Dodge Charger SRT Banshee and is bringing back HEMI V8 engines for the Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, and Dodge Durango.

"The market is telling us that hybrid is the bridge," said an industry analyst. "Pure BEV trucks were a solution looking for a problem that most truck buyers don't have."

The HEMI Returns

Perhaps the most telling indicator of Stellantis's strategic shift: the iconic HEMI V8 engine is coming back. Under new CEO Antonio Filosa, who replaced Carlos Tavares in mid-2025, the company has announced:

  • Ram 1500: HEMI V8 option returning for 2026 model year
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392: HEMI-powered variant returning after brief discontinuation
  • Dodge Durango: 2026 model will be exclusively available with HEMI engines

The message is clear: Stellantis is giving customers what they're actually buying, not what regulators and advocates think they should want.

What Survives: Jeep Recon

Not all Stellantis EVs are being canceled. The Jeep Recon—a Trail Rated all-electric SUV—remains on track for production in early 2026. At $65,000, the Recon targets adventure-oriented buyers who might actually benefit from electric torque and reduced maintenance on trails.

The Recon's survival suggests Stellantis sees opportunity in niche EV applications where the technology's strengths align with customer needs, rather than forcing EVs into every segment.

Financial Implications

Stellantis has struggled financially, with declining market share and profitability under the previous leadership. The EV retreat could improve near-term results:

  • Reduced capital expenditure: BEV development is enormously expensive; cutting programs frees cash
  • Better margin products: Gas and hybrid trucks generate healthier profits than money-losing EVs
  • Dealer relations: Franchised dealers have been frustrated by EV mandates; the pivot improves those relationships

However, long-term risks remain. Regulatory mandates in California and Europe still require increasing EV sales. If Stellantis falls too far behind in electrification, it could face compliance costs or market access restrictions.

Consumer Takeaway

For buyers considering an electric truck, the Ram cancellation offers a clear lesson: don't buy based on future promises. The Ramcharger/REV hybrid that will actually ship offers a pragmatic compromise—significant electric capability with gas backup.

Those still committed to pure electric can consider:

  • Ford F-150 Lightning: Available now, though with acknowledged range limitations
  • Chevrolet Silverado EV: Rolling out gradually with improving availability
  • Tesla Cybertruck: Unique design, polarizing, but genuinely electric
  • Rivian R1T: Smaller than full-size but capable and available

The Bottom Line

The Ram 1500 REV's cancellation is less a single product failure than a market verdict on full-size battery-electric trucks. American truck buyers have spoken: they want electrification options, but not at the cost of capability, convenience, or reasonable pricing. Stellantis is listening, even if the answer isn't what EV advocates hoped to hear. The company's pivot to hybrids and the return of the HEMI reflects a hard-nosed assessment of what customers will actually buy—not what they're supposed to want.