Range-Extended Electric Pickups Are Having a Moment

If you love the idea of EV torque but still live a real truck life, towing, hauling, highway miles, and winter weather, you’ve probably asked the same question a lot of pickup shoppers are asking right now:

Can I get the smooth, quick EV driving experience without planning every trip around charging stops?

That’s exactly why range-extended electric pickups are stealing the spotlight.

A quick naming note so everything makes sense

If you remember hearing “Ramcharger” in earlier conversations, you’re not imagining it. In a September 12, 2025 statement, Stellantis announced it would discontinue development of a full-size battery-electric pickup and rename its range-extended electric pickup to the Ram 1500 REV, previously communicated as Ramcharger.¹

This post is focused on the range-extended Ram 1500 REV as it’s communicated today.²

What “range-extended electric” actually means

Think of it like this:

• You drive on electric power. Electric motors deliver the instant torque and smooth acceleration you want.
• A gas engine is there as a backup energy source. When needed, it runs a generator to make electricity and help extend total driving range.

So you get EV-style driving for daily errands and commutes, plus more flexibility for longer days on the road.

Why range-extended trucks are clicking with pickup shoppers

Full EV pickups can be fantastic, especially when you charge at home. But trucks also get used for the stuff that exposes EV tradeoffs: load, towing, and long highway stretches.

AAA testing is a good example of how “truck work” can change the math. In a payload test on a Ford F-150 Lightning, AAA found range dropped 24.5% when the bed was loaded with 1,400 pounds.³

Now add towing and road-trip logistics. Edmunds notes that towing with an electric pickup on longer trips can mean extra charging stops and more hassle, especially when you’re attached to a trailer.⁴

Range-extended trucks are built to keep the EV driving feel while making those longer, heavier-duty days easier to manage.

The range-extended Ram 1500 REV: headline capability worth knowing

Here are the big capability targets being shared for the range-extended Ram 1500 REV:²

• Up to 690 miles of total driving range
• Up to 14,000 pounds maximum towing
• Up to 2,625 pounds maximum payload
• Up to 647 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque
• 92 kWh battery paired with a 130 kW onboard generator
• 3.6L Pentastar V6 used to generate power that’s converted to electricity
• Up to 145 kW DC fast charging
• Up to 50 miles in about 10 minutes under ideal conditions

One important reality check that still keeps this exciting: it’s a preproduction program with projected availability in 2026, so final EPA figures and final packaging can evolve before trucks arrive.²

What that means for drivers around Allentown

Range-extended makes a lot of sense if your truck has to do both of these things well:

1) Be easy every day

If your week is mostly commuting, errands, and running around town, EV-style driving is a win. Quiet. Quick. Smooth.

2) Be ready when the plan changes

Maybe you’re heading up Route 309, your schedule shifts, and you don’t want to hunt down a charger before you can keep moving. A range-extender adds flexibility.

3) Handle towing trips without turning it into homework

If you tow for work, pull a trailer on weekends, or take longer drives up the Northeast Extension, the range-extended setup is aimed at making those days feel more like normal truck ownership.⁴

Choosing between full EV and range-extended

Here’s the simplest way to decide:

A full battery-electric pickup can be perfect if:

• You can charge at home consistently
• Most of your miles are local or regional
• You rarely tow long distances, or you’re comfortable planning charging stops

A range-extended electric pickup is a great fit if:

• You tow often or take longer highway trips
• Your days are unpredictable and you need flexibility
• You want EV driving benefits without feeling locked into charger planning

Questions we hear all the time

“Can an electric truck tow?”

Yes. The bigger conversation is what towing does to real-world range and how convenient charging is with a trailer attached.⁴

“Is range-extended just a gimmick?”

Not if you actually use your truck like a truck. Load and towing can change range and trip logistics. That’s exactly the problem range-extended is designed to solve.³ ⁴

“Is the 690-mile number real?”

It’s the communicated total range target for the range-extended setup. Real-world results will vary with speed, temperature, load, and towing, and final certified figures can differ.²

Stay in the loop on the Ram 1500 REV

If you want to be among the first to know when order info and final specs are released, reach out and we’ll make sure you’re on our update list.

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1608 Plaza Ln, Allentown, PA 18104
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