Ram electrification in 2026: Why range extended electric can fit truck life better than battery only electric

If your truck has to handle everything from weekday commuting to weekend towing, you already know that capability is only part of the story. Convenience matters too.

That is the lens Ram is using as it reshapes its electrification plans. Instead of launching a battery only electric full size pickup first, Ram is now positioning a range extended electric pickup as the main event.¹²

Range extended electric is not a compromise for people who do not like EVs. It is a way to get the electric driving experience while keeping the flexibility that truck life demands.

What changed and why it matters

Here is the simplest timeline, since the names have shifted.

• April 2023
  Stellantis introduced the Ram 1500 REV as a battery electric pickup concept and talked about targeted long range options.⁴
• December 18, 2024
  Stellantis said it would move the range extended Ram 1500 launch ahead of the battery electric pickup plan.³
• September 12, 2025
  Stellantis said it would discontinue development of the full size battery electric pickup in North America and rename the range extended pickup to Ram 1500 REV, replacing the earlier Ramcharger name.²
• Today
  Ram’s public model page positions the Ram 1500 REV as a range extended electric truck with projected availability in 2026.¹

For shoppers, the takeaway is clear. The Ram 1500 REV name now refers to the range extended electric truck, and the battery only full size program has been discontinued.¹²

Quick glossary

Battery electric truck
A truck that is powered only by a battery and electric motors. Charging is the only way to add energy.

Range extended electric truck
A truck that is driven by electric motors and has a battery you can plug in and recharge. When the battery gets low, an onboard gas engine runs a generator to make electricity so you can keep moving.¹⁵

DC fast charging
The fastest public charging option for most EVs. It can add meaningful miles quickly, but speed depends on the vehicle, station output, temperature, and battery state.¹

How range extended electric works in plain English

A range extended electric truck is still an electric truck. The wheels are driven by electric motors. The difference is what happens when you need more miles than the battery has left.

Stellantis describes the range extender setup as a battery plus electric drive modules plus an onboard generator and an internal combustion engine, with no direct mechanical path from the engine to the wheels. The generator makes electricity to power the motors and recharge the battery as needed.⁵

On the current Ram 1500 REV page, Ram describes a liquid cooled 92 kilowatt hour battery paired with a 130 kilowatt generator, with a 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 providing the mechanical power that the generator converts to electricity.¹

That design is aimed at a simple outcome: you can drive electric day to day, and still have a straightforward way to extend total range when the trip, the trailer, or the weather changes the plan.¹⁵

Why range extended electric may fit truck life better right now

Towing changes the math fast

Towing increases load, drag, and energy use. That matters for any vehicle, but it matters most when you are counting every mile to the next fast charger.

Range extended electric helps because you are not forced into a charging only plan for the entire day. You can still plan charging stops when they are convenient, and you have generator backed flexibility when they are not.

Long distance routes and rural gaps still exist

Charging infrastructure is improving, but a lot of real truck miles happen away from the most charger dense corridors. If your day includes multiple stops, unpredictable detours, or long stretches between reliable fast chargers, range extended electric reduces the planning burden.

Winter is not theoretical in Northern Vermont

Cold temperatures can reduce efficiency for EVs and increase energy demand for cabin heat, defrost, and traction needs. Range extended electric gives you an extra layer of confidence on days when weather and road conditions are not cooperating.

It matches how people actually adopt new tech

Online truck discussions tend to land in the same place: people like the idea of electric torque and quieter driving, but they worry about towing range, charger uptime, and the complexity of planning around public charging.

Range extended electric is Ram’s answer to that sentiment. It is designed for buyers who want electric capability without feeling boxed in.

Ram 1500 REV facts at a glance

These are Ram’s stated targets and estimates from its current model page and preproduction disclosures. Final production specs can change.

• Manufacturer estimated driving range: up to 690 miles under ideal conditions¹
• Maximum towing capacity: up to 14,000 pounds when properly equipped¹
• Maximum payload capacity: up to 2,625 pounds when properly equipped¹
• Maximum horsepower: 647 horsepower using a fully charged battery and full generator output¹
• Battery and generator description: 92 kilowatt hour battery plus 130 kilowatt generator with a 3.6 liter V6 running the generator¹
• DC fast charging: add up to 50 miles of all electric range in 10 minutes with 400 volt DC fast charging at up to 145 kilowatts¹
• Home energy: Ram says the truck can help keep devices powered for up to 30 days with device power rationing during an outage¹

A practical note on that last point. Backup power depends on how much energy you use, what you are powering, and what equipment is required for safe home integration. Treat it as a capability to discuss in detail, not a blanket promise for every household.

A Northern Vermont charging reality check using public data

If you are weighing electric capability, you should look at your routes and your chargers, not just the headline range number.

A good public starting point is the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center station locator, which is powered by the NREL Alternative Fuel Stations dataset.⁶⁷

A simple way to do your own quick assessment:

1. Search charging locations within your typical radius of travel.
2. Filter to DC fast charging for road trips and towing day realism.
3. Save a few reliable backup stations in different directions from home.
4. Recheck stations periodically since networks expand and stations can be temporarily offline.

If you like data, Vermont also publishes a statewide charging station layer through its open geodata portal, sourced from NREL.⁸

What to ask before you commit to any electric truck plan

These questions keep the decision grounded in your actual use.

• How often do I tow, and how far do I tow in one day
• Can I charge at home consistently
• Do I have a reliable DC fast option along my most common longer routes
• Do I need backup power for devices during outages, and what do I actually plan to run
• What is my comfort level with being an early adopter on a first model year

If you answer honestly, the right powertrain choice usually becomes obvious.

FAQ

Is range extended electric the same as a plug in hybrid

Not exactly. A plug in hybrid typically has a mechanical drivetrain where the engine can drive the wheels in some situations. Stellantis describes the REEV approach as electric drive with the engine running a generator and no direct mechanical path to the wheels.⁵

Can you drive it like an EV every day

That is the goal. You can charge at home or on the road and drive using the battery, then rely on the generator when you need more total miles.¹

Does towing reduce range

Towing increases energy use. Ram’s range figures are manufacturer estimates under ideal conditions and real range varies based on weather, terrain, speed, load, and towing.¹

How fast can it charge on a road trip

Ram states the truck can add up to 50 miles of all electric range in 10 minutes with 400 volt DC fast charging at up to 145 kilowatts, under the right conditions.¹

Can it power your home in an outage

Ram says the truck can help keep devices powered for up to 30 days with device power rationing. What you can power and for how long depends on usage and the required equipment.¹

Why did Ram shift away from a battery only truck

Stellantis says demand for full size battery electric trucks in North America has slowed and that it is discontinuing development of the full size BEV pickup while focusing on the range extended truck.²

Ram electrification in one sentence

Ram is betting that electric drive plus generator backed flexibility is the easiest way for truck owners to adopt electrification without changing how they tow, travel, and work.

If you want help comparing your daily miles, towing needs, and charging options, visit Nucar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of St. Albans at 141 Franklin Park W, St Albans City, VT 05478. Whether your drives run down Route 7 toward Burlington or out Route 104 toward the islands, we will help you map the right fit.

Everyone loves a Nucar!