Jeep and Ram range-extender electric vehicles will arrive later
Image: Ram
Stellantis is delaying the launch of its first two so-called range-extender electric vehicles to ensure a smooth rollout. According to an internal memo sent to suppliers cited by Automotive News, the European automaker plans to begin production in the U.S. for an electric version of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer in November. This date is six months later than the original target of May.
The Ram 1500 REV is scheduled to launch in mid-April of next year. The pickup truck was originally supposed to hit the market in mid-2026 before the date was pushed back by nine months. Nothing specific is known yet about its availability in Europe, but at least the Ram 1500 REV is expected to be available there as well.
The two electric vehicles with range-extender technology use a special powertrain system featuring a 400-volt battery, a Pentastar engine, and a gasoline engine that serves exclusively as an electric generator for the electric drive without being connected to the wheels.
A Stellantis spokesperson said according to the report that both Jeep and Ram are on track, with Jeep’s respective vehicles slated for this year and Ram’s for 2027. Production of the Grand Wagoneer as an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) is set to take place alongside the conventional gasoline version in Warren, Michigan, in the U.S. The Ram 1500 REV will be manufactured at the nearby Sterling Heights Assembly Plant.
Micky Bly, head of global powertrain systems at Stellantis, is convinced of the market potential for this technology. “You’ll see them driving around town in it soon,” Bly said according to Automotive News in April at an event in Detroit. There, he described the technology as a great product.
This development follows a period in which the focus on purely battery-powered vehicles was adjusted due to low demand and regulatory changes in the U.S. The Ram 1500 with technology for a range extender system was originally known as the Ramcharger and was supposed to launch in 2025. The announced all-electric version was canceled, and for now only the model with a gasoline generator is available.
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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive and financial industries. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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