Ram confirms another delay to electric, range-extender utes
Responding to a report by Crain's Detroit Business, a spokesperson for the French-Italian-American automaker confirmed the company is 'extending the quality validation period' to iron out some quality issues on the EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) 1500 Ramcharger.
Although the spokesperson didn't elaborate on what these issues are, this latest setback means the Ramcharger won't be launched until the first quarter of 2026, at the earliest.
Revealed and detailed in November 2023, the Ramcharger was initially set to launch at the end of 2024.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger Credit: CarExpert
As for the all-electric 1500 REV, that's being delayed due to market 'slowing consumer demand' for full-size electric pickup trucks in the States.
Despite rising EV sales in the US, the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra aren't meeting their initially imagined sales targets.
For example, in 2024 Ford sold around 33,000 Lightnings out of 460,915 F-150s in total. The Blue Oval initially planned to shift around 150,000 Lightnings per year.
Unveiled in early 2023, the Ram 1500 REV was originally set to enter the market in late 2024. At the end of last year, Ram pushed the launch date back to 2026, and now it has confirmed the REV won't become available until the third quarter of 2027.
The long-range variant of the 1500 REV with a 229kWh battery and projected range of 804km (500 miles) has been cancelled, meaning only the standard-range variant will be offered. 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger Credit: CarExpert
At its 2023 unveiling, the standard-range 1500 REV was equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup making a total of 488kW and 841Nm. Fed by a 168kWh battery, the electric Ram is said to have a 563km (350 mile) range. Given the car's long gestation time, these details may well change by the time REV finally launches.
The 1500 Ramcharger aims to offer the best of both worlds with its extended-range EV drivetrain. It has a pair of electric motors driving all four wheels, making a total of 487kW and 834Nm, and fed by a 92kWh battery pack.
There's also a 3.6-litre V6 on board, but it can't drive the wheels. Instead its only task is to charge up the battery pack when it starts running low.
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
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Much as the interior offers a familiar Suzuki experience but with some new technology, so too does the drive experience. 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert The mild-hybrid system doesn't allow the vehicle to drive purely on electric power like a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, but it does smooth out the engine stop/start system, making it much less jerky than the setups from some rival brands. The Fronx uses the brand's new 'SHVS' mild-hybrid system, in which an integrated starter generator (ISG) replaces the alternator. During deceleration, power generated from ISG is stored in a 12V lithium-ion battery. While Suzuki says this provides power assistance to the engine, we wonder how much more sluggish the Fronx would be without the MHEV setup because, well, she ain't quick. The Fronx would benefit from one of Suzuki's peppy turbocharged engines, because it feels lethargic. 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert Even a CVT or manual could help wring out the most of this small engine, as the six-speed auto only serves to emphasise the Fronx's sluggishness. The drive route took us up some steep grades where it struggled. Flicking it to Sport made it noisier but scarcely more responsive. You can manually change gears via paddles behind the steering wheel. A motorway jaunt revealed the Fronx isn't dangerously underpowered, as we were able to overtake without breaking into a cold sweat, but the Fronx is more urban runabout than highway cruiser. It is fairly quiet and settled at highway speeds, however, and the adaptive cruise control works well. Without setting the cruise, though, we noticed in highway driving it would shuffle between fifth and sixth gear repeatedly. 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert Ride comfort is up to class standards. 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There's just one grade of Fronx available. 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert 2025 Suzuki Fronx equipment highlights: Multi-reflector automatic LED headlights 16-inch alloy wheels Tyre repair kit Power-folding exterior mirrors Proximity entry with push-button start Electric parking brake Auto hold Head-up display 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wireless, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless phone charger 6-speaker sound system Fabric and leatherette upholstery Heated front seats Height-adjustable front seat Power windows Leather-wrapped steering wheel Tilt and telescopic adjustment Automatic air-conditioning Illuminated vanity mirrors Centre console bin with armrest Removable luggage board The Suzuki Fronx has yet to be assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. 2025 Suzuki Fronx Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment includes: Autonomous emergency braking Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Lane-keep assist Rear cross-traffic alert Traffic sign recognition Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Front, front-side and curtain airbags Suzuki has confirmed the Fronx will be covered by five years or 75,000km of capped-price servicing. 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