The Hemi Returns, But Ram Is Not Abandoning Electrification | Carscoops

      Despite facing several setbacks, Ram is adamant that the Ramcharger and REV electric trucks will eventually be released.

      With the Hemi V8 making a comeback for 2026, Ram remains focused on developing electric trucks.

      Weak demand for electric pickups prompted Ram to postpone the launches of both the Ramcharger and REV.

      CEO Tim Kuniskis is confident that the Ramcharger will transform the market in a way that competitors will seek to emulate.

      This situation mirrors Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown at the last moment; just when it seems like the electric pickups are nearing release, they face delays.

      The Ram 1500 REV was revealed at the 2023 New York Auto Show with an anticipated launch in the fourth quarter of 2024. In November 2023, the company announced the 1500 Ramcharger, designed to tackle issues with electric trucks by incorporating a 3.6-liter V6 engine.

      Currently, neither truck is available for purchase. Ram has disclosed a delay and a shift in product strategy, with the Ramcharger set to launch first in 2025, while the fully electric 1500 REV is now expected to follow in 2026.

      Recent updates indicate another delay, with the Ramcharger possibly debuting early next year and the 1500 REV not reaching showrooms until the summer of 2027.

      If this schedule holds, over four years will elapse between the introduction and actual release of the 1500 REV. Although this is a significant delay, CEO Tim Kuniskis maintains that their electric trucks are still on the way.

      During a recent media briefing, he affirmed that electrification remains a priority, notwithstanding the Hemi's resurgence. Even though the current administration is less enthusiastic about electric vehicles, various regulations and efficiency standards persist, making models like the Ramcharger and REV necessary for Ram.

      Ram, having the advantage of timing, can learn from the early electric truck launches by Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, which have shown variable demand.

      In Q1, GM sold 3,479 Hummers (SUVs and pickups), 2,383 Silverado EVs, and 1,249 Sierra EVs—totaling 7,111 units compared to 78,199 conventional Silverado pickups sold in the same timeframe.

      In Dearborn, Ford moved 7,187 F-150 Lightnings during the same quarter, while the Cybertruck has underperformed against expectations.

      Ram recognized the market trends and appreciated their delay, which provided insight into the weak demand for electric vehicles. Kuniskis noted that the decision to postpone was purely a business one, supported by the slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles.

      He also admitted that Ram initially erred by not prioritizing the launch of the range-extended Ramcharger. He is particularly enthusiastic about it and believes other brands will follow suit.

      This thinking is reflected in Ford CEO Jim Farley’s recent endorsement of range-extended electric vehicles. The 1500 Ramcharger is expected to feature a 91.8 kWh battery, a dual-motor AWD system producing 647 hp (482 kW / 656 PS), and 610 lb-ft (826 Nm) of torque.

      Significantly, the 3.6-liter V6 engine will function as a generator, potentially allowing for a range of up to 690 miles (1,110 km). The Ramcharger also claims a towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) and a payload capacity of 2,625 lbs (1,191 kg).

      In summary, Ram aims to tackle the main issues faced by purely electric trucks while offering the advantages of traditional gasoline trucks, creating a potentially compelling combination, although the outcome remains to be seen.