Stellantis’s STLA frame platform could be the future of trucks
Supporting Ram’s upcoming EV pickups could be merely the beginning
Ram introduced its all-electric 1500 REV and Ramcharger Hybrid trucks back in 2023, initially sharing few details. Since then, a Ram executive has highlighted their potential in terms of battery performance, and the automaker announced that the fully electric Ram 1500 REV will be delayed in favor of the range-extended Ramcharger.
Regardless of which model launches first, the details of the groundbreaking platform set to support these trucks and other full-size vehicles showcase a bright future for the next generation of American EVs.
Related: Ram EV delayed: Ramcharger jumps ahead
The STLA Frame Platform will be a versatile solution for Stellantis
The STLA Frame is designed to accommodate full-size, body-on-frame trucks and SUVs. It will support various propulsion paths: hybrid, electric-only, range extenders, hydrogen power, and internal combustion engine extenders. This scalable chassis will eventually appear in global markets but will first be used in Ram and Jeep models.
Stellantis is aiming high in terms of electric performance. The STLA Frame platform targets 500 miles of range for battery-only EVs (BEVs) and up to 690 miles for range extender (REEV) systems.
This, along with a 14,000-pound towing capacity and 2,700-pound payload rating, sets the bar for what it looks to achieve. As a bonus, Stellantis says this platform can wade up to 24 inches of water, hinting at its capabilities off the beaten path. Stellantis
In fact, the auto conglomerate is so confident of the STLA Frame that vehicles riding on this platform will first launch in all-electric and range-extending configurations before expanding into internal combustion and hybrid variants.
“With full EV and extended-range EV tech coming soon, we’re bringing ‘no compromise’ solutions to buyers who may be hesitant on trying their first electric vehicle," now ex-Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said about the platform. "We’re proud of this engineering marvel and look forward to seeing it come to life in our upcoming product blitz on Jeep and Ram.”
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Breaking down the tech
BEVs will use liquid-cooled battery packs in different sizes, with an initial capacity of 159 kilowatt-hours that could grow to more than 200 kWh. Relying on an 800-volt architecture opens the door for DC fast charging at a rate of up to 350 kW, enabling STLA-backed vehicles to add 100 miles of range in a claimed 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, REEVs will use a battery with front and rear electric motors, an on-board generator, and a gasoline engine. The generator will power the electric motors and recharge the battery to provide that extended range, even under circumstances of heavier loads. It’s the backwards way of how hybrids work where only the engine supports the battery rather than the battery supports the engine. RAM
With this technology, REEVs will be able to regenerate 50 miles from a mere 10-minute charge thanks to the 400-volt architecture, which can produce up to 175 kW. The STLA Frame Pplatform will also incorporate bidirectional charging, meaning it could power a fellow EV or a house during a blackout.
The electric motors are rated at 250kW, powerful enough to deliver all-wheel-drive capabilities, which Stellantis says could propel certain models to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds, although it didn’t specify which.
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The STLA Frame could be an industry changer
The STLA Frame chassis is designed for full-size utility vehicles, so it’s no coincidence that the design of the Ramcharger mimics the 2025 Ram 1500, as does the brand’s first EV. In terms of appearance, the REV isn’t as radical as a Tesla Cybertruck, staying within the traditional realm of a pickup truck. RAM
At the same time, it could be game-changing for the industry as Stellantis believes this same platform is future-proofed. It can accept new energy storage technologies without compromising engineering integrity and will use advanced high-strength steel construction for greater durability and rigidity. Reinforced frame rails will work in tandem with this steel construction to protect the battery mounted beneath the floor.
It also considers the prospect of multiple vehicles rather than a dedicated platform that underpins only one kind of vehicle. With internal combustion still very much in demand, designing the chassis to accommodate EVs without excluding gasoline is the ideal move. A one-size-fits-all approach like the STLA Frame could usher in mass electrification more gracefully without infrastructure hurdles. Stellantis
Final thoughts
As a major truck manufacturer, Ram has the potential to turn this new platform into a commercial success, possibly helping drive the industry toward widespread electrification.
Stellantis has set bold goals for its STLA Frame platform, aiming not just to succeed but to compel competitors to follow its lead. While Ram has yet to reveal the MSRP for the REV or Ramcharger, an accessible price point could make both the vehicles and the company’s larger ambitions attainable.
