Ram will not build a long-range edition of its upcoming Ram 1500 REV electric truck, according to a new report.
Mopar Insiders explains, “The highly anticipated long-range version of the Ram 1500 REV has been canceled.”
Ram had planned to build its upcoming electric truck with a choice of two batteries. The standard-range edition will have a targeted range of 350 miles. A pricier long-range version would have boasted up to 500.
But the latter “has been shelved,” the site reports, citing an email to suppliers.
We’ve reached out to Ram for comment and will update this story when we hear back.
The move might seem strange, given that competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado EV claim up to 440 miles. But Ram has a unique solution for those looking for a truly long-range electric truck.
The brand’s planned 2025 Ramcharger will have an electric-only range of about 145 miles, then an onboard engine that serves as a generator to extend the range indefinitely. That lets truck buyers use electricity for most of their daily driving needs but use gasoline on trips over 145 miles.
It also solves a problem unique to electric trucks. All trucks, regardless of their fuel type, lose up to half their range when towing. That adds expense to towing with a gas-powered truck but not much time – you’ll stop more frequently to refuel when pulling a load, but each fuel stop is relatively quick. With an electric truck, you’ll have to stop more frequently for charging sessions that can take hours.
Sometimes called “extended-range electric vehicles,” E-REVs like the Ramcharger solve that problem. Upstart Scout Motors plans its own version. In early orders, Scout representatives tell us, reservations for the E-REV version of the Scout Terra are outselling all-electric versions 3-to-1.
So canceling the 500-mile Ram REV doesn’t leave shoppers without a long-range option. It just lets dealers point them toward one that may make more practical sense for many buyers.
