Stellantis has shared additional details about the STLA Frame platform, which will debut on the Ram 1500 REV and 1500 Ramcharger set to launch next year. The platform will offer up to 500 miles of range for electric vehicles and 690 miles of range for plug-in hybrid range-extender configurations. Stellantis also announced that these powertrains will offer a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,700 pounds. The plug-in hybrid Ramcharger pickup trucks and the electric 1500 REV showed Ram’s plans for 2023. The two trucks will be built using a brand-new frame called STLA Frame. Stellantis, the company that owns Ram, has shared more information about the body-on-frame platform. This platform will handle both all-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains that extend the range. The platform was made for full-size body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs, and both Jeep and Ram will use it. The platform will be able to support new versions of Jeep’s Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs, as well as the two confirmed Ram models. The STLA Frame platform will have wheelbases that are 123.7 to 145.3 inches long, widths that are 81.2 to 83.6 inches wide, and lengths that are 216 to 234 inches long. Stellantis wants to get a range of up to 500 miles with all-electric cars and up to 690 miles with cars that have extendable ranges. The design will work with battery packs that are cooled by liquid and have capacities between 159.0 kWh and more than 200.0 kWh. Electric cars will be able to be charged at up to 350 kW with an 800-volt system, which will add 100 miles to their range in just ten minutes. In setups that extend the range, a 400-volt system can add 50 miles of range in 10 minutes and can charge at its fastest rate of 175 kW. The STLA Frame will also have two-way charging, which lets EVs send power to other EVs, link to the grid, or power a home in an emergency. The front and back electric drive parts of the STLA Frame will have a gear reducer, power inverter, and motor all built into one unit. This will allow for EV and range-extended uses. The motors can each make up to 335 horsepower, and the car can go from 0 to 60 km/h in as little as 4.4 seconds. For electric uses, the most weight that can be carried is 2,700 pounds, and the most weight that can be pulled is 14,000 pounds. Stellantis also says that the platform can handle up to 24 inches of water. The ground clearance varies by model and can be anywhere from 6.6 to 10.3 inches. The STLA Frame can also be used to add air suspension. Stellantis says that the high-strength steel used to build the STLA Frame base makes it very strong and durable while also keeping the weight down. For electric cars, the middle part of the platform is stretched out to make room for the battery pack, and the frame rails are strengthened to keep the battery safe from side impacts. A full-length belly pan is added to improve the throwing range. Stellantis says that the platform will eventually handle hydrogen fuel cells, conventional hybrid, and pure internal combustion powertrains, as well as options for electric vehicles and range extenders. Stellantis owns 33% of Symbio, a company that is working on hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains. However, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said at a media event that the company is still ready to work with other automakers to bring hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains to market at a lower cost. He did, however, say again that Stellantis is currently focusing on electric and range-extending plug-in hybrid powertrains. The STLA Frame technology will be used for the first time in the Ram 1500 REV and 1500 Ramcharger. Tavares said that the pickup trucks would now be available in the first half of 2025, even though they were supposed to come out in late 2024. To explain the delay, he said that Stellantis was “facing a significant amount of workload” and that they were going to “be very cautious in the way we validate the products.” Stellantis is showing off four new platforms, one of which is the STLA Frame, as it prepares for a future driven by electricity. There has been extensive discussion of the STLA Large and STLA Medium platforms within the corporation. Tavares said that this design will work better for small cars in Europe, but more information about the STLA compact platform will be released in late 2025 or early 2026.
