By Nora Eckert
DETROIT (Reuters) -Stellantis is axing its Ram 1500 electric pickup, citing slow demand for full-size EV trucks, the company said Friday.
“As demand for full-size battery electric trucks slows in North America, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup,” a company spokesperson said.
Automakers across the United States have downsized their EV plans over the last year, a trend that will likely accelerate with the evaporation of federal support for battery-powered models. Full-size electric pickups have become a particularly difficult segment for automakers, as sales of vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck have been slower-than-expected.
Pickup truck drivers have clung to their gasoline-engine models because of concerns about towing or range in electric models.
The Stellantis pickup was delayed last year by former CEO Carlos Tavares, who said the automaker needed more time to ensure the product met its quality standards. The French-Italian-American automaker appointed a new CEO, Antonio Filosa, in May.
Stellantis said it will also rename its extended-range electric pickup, formerly called the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, to the Ram 1500 REV.
(Reporting by Nora Eckert, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
