Ram delays all-electric REV, launches Ramcharger EREV first

Ram introduced the all-electric 1500 REV back in 2023, but talk quickly turned to an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) – well before the truck itself was actually announced. Then in late 2023, when the Ramcharger EREV was revealed, it was supposed to come out after the all-electric truck. But amid shakeups at Stellantis, Ram’s parent company, and other EV delays, Ram announced it will move the Ramcharger EREV ahead of the REV, stating it will be available in early 2025.

So, when’s the Ram 1500 REV coming out? In 2026. At least that’s when Ram says the truck is now slated to come out.

A Ramcharger EREV refresher

Since it’s been a year since Ram introduced the Ramcharger EREV, let’s do a quick refresher. This will be an electric pickup truck equipped with a range-extending generator. Powered by a 92 kWh battery pack paired with a 130 kW generator, it will target up to 690 miles of range. It’ll deliver 663 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, and it’ll be able to to up to 14,000 pounds and support a payload of up to 2,625 pounds.

Here’s the tricky part: That onboard generator is actually a Pentastar V-6 engine.

At this point, you might be asking if that makes it a plug-in hybrid, and the answer is: Not exactly. Yes, you plug it in, but since the gasoline engine doesn’t power the wheels, it’s technically not a hybrid. It’s an extended range electric vehicle.

So, what does this mean exactly? Well, when you plug it in, you’ll get about 145 miles of all-electric range. But since this has a 27-gallon gas tank, you’ll get the aforementioned 690 miles of total range, with the V-6 being used to charge the battery when the electric range runs out.

So, yes, you’ll probably still have to visit a gas station once in a while, but if you’re plugging in every night, you’ll probably only need gas on road trips.

Our take

Frankly, with cooling EV demand and the uncertain future of EV tax credits sparked by the incoming administration, this makes a lot of sense. Push out the truck more people will be likely to buy first, see what happens with the EV market, then begin the limited production for the EV.

Personally, we think the Ramcharger EREV has the changes to be a gamechanger if the execution is well done. I mean who doesn’t want 690 miles of range? Who wouldn’t want the immediate power and torque of an EV? And who doesn’t want to save on fuel costs? Even if gas prices dip with the new administration, charging at home will take care of most needs and cost less.

All of this seems like a win-win-win.