Stellantis U-Turn: The Hemi Comes Back as Full EV Pickup Plans Hit the Brakes
Stellantis is doing a strategic about-face. The automaker, which once appeared to be going all-in on electric vehicles, is now leaning back toward what made its brands icons in the first place: rumbling V-8s and the sound of exhausts. Under its new leadership, Stellantis has paused or canceled certain all-electric programs, and reintroduced the Hemi V-8 for 2026. If the recent announcements are any sign, Stellantis is entering a phase of “multi-energy” balance—offering EVs and hybrids, but not completely abandoning gasoline’s legacy.
What’s Changed: EV Plans Paused/Canceled
- The all-electric Ram 1500 pickup (often referred to as the Ram 1500 REV / formerly Ramcharger) has officially been canceled. Stellantis cited sluggish demand for full-size BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) pickups in North America.
- Along with the EV cancellation, there’s a shift toward extended range or hybrid variants—like the Ram 1500 REV (range-extended version) vs the original fully electric version.
- Other electric-heavy plans are under reappraisal. The strategy appears to favor consumer demand and practical tradeoffs over pushing ahead without market confirmation.
What’s Coming Back: The Hemi & Gas Power
- The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is back in the Ram 1500 for 2026, with eTorque hybrid assist. Ram’s announcement explicitly states that the return was a response to customer feedback.
- The Hemi delivers 395 horsepower and about 410 lb-feet of torque in its new configuration.
- Stellantis is also re-emphasizing that V-8 engines will continue to be part of its product lineup across brands like Ram, Jeep, and possibly Dodge.
Why the Pivot: Business & Market Drivers
- EV demand fatigue: Some segments, particularly full-size electric trucks, have not taken off as fast as automakers anticipated. Issues like range, towing capacity, cost, charging infrastructure, and consumer price sensitivity remain obstacles.
- Cost & regulation headwinds: As incentives change or reduce, and as regulatory burdens remain heavy, the costs for large battery packs or fully electric hardware go up. Also, some customers remain loyal to ICE or want performance gas engines.
- Brand identity & customer feedback: The Hemi has a strong heritage. Ram in particular got pushback when it removed the V-8. Ram execs have acknowledged that many customers said they would shop elsewhere if there was no V-8 option. The return of Hemi is partly to reclaim that audience.
What It Means: The New Stellantis Strategy
- Stellantis is shifting to a “multi-energy” strategy: offering EVs, hybrids, EREVs (range-extended electric vehicles), and ICE/V-8 options in parallel depending on segment, customer need, and region.
- Gas/gas-like performance will stay in the portfolio, especially where customers care about towing, power, sound, or legacy image. The Hemi return isn’t just symbolic—it has real specs and real business behind it.
- Electrification isn’t dead at Stellantis, but it is being rebalanced. Some EV programs are being paused; others will continue, but perhaps with more caution or hybrid options.
Tradeoffs & Risks
- Return to V-8s means more weight, more emissions, higher fuel costs and possibly higher maintenance. Customers who care about efficiency and operating costs may feel left out.
- Regulatory risk: Emissions standards are tightening in many places, particularly for ICE and high-displacement engines. Stellantis will need to ensure compliance (cylinder deactivation, hybrid assist, etc.).
- Market risk: If EV demand revives strongly (due to policy, incentives, fuel cost, or infrastructure improvement), Stellantis may have to pivot back or fast catch up.
What to Watch
- How Jeep and Dodge integrate the Hemi return—will it be optional, standard, or reserved for performance trims?
- What hybrid/electric options remain in the pipeline; which programs are being scaled back vs canceled.
- Pricing implications: Hemi trucks may carry a premium and impact fuel costs, especially as fuel prices fluctuate.
- How Stellantis addresses emissions compliance across states and regions with strict rules (e.g. CARB states).
Verdict
Stellantis appears to be listening to its market—realizing that electric is important, but not yet enough to fully replace what many customers love about V-8s. The return of the Hemi is strategic: a nod to heritage, a response to demand, and a hedge against uncertainty in the EV world. If Stellantis pulls this off well, it could set a model for automakers balancing performance, identity, and changing market conditions.
Will this be enough to win back skeptics, or will the push toward electrification get even stronger? Only time will tell—but the pendulum is clearly swinging back toward inclusion: both EV and gas.
