Stellantis Reveals New STLA Frame Supporting EVs, Hybrids, Hydrogen, And ICE Trucks
- The new platform underpins both the Ram 1500 REV and Ram 1500 Ramcharger.
- Stellantis says STLA Frame supports 159 kWh – 200 kWh battery packs.
- EVs using the platform will be able to travel up to 500 miles (805 km) on a charge.
The latest multi-energy platform from Stellantis, the STLA Frame, has been unveiled, showcasing the kind of powertrain flexibility that carmakers increasingly need to stay relevant. Designed to support basically everything from internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrids, hydrogen, battery-electric (BEV), and range-extender vehicles, the STLA Frame is Stellantis’ response to an industry undergoing rapid technological transformation.
This modular platform serves as the foundation for the Ram 1500 REV and Ram 1500 Ramcharger, purpose-built for full-size, body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs. According to Stellantis, range-extender variants using the STLA Frame can achieve up to 690 miles (1,100 km) of range, while BEV models are capable of 500 miles (805 km) per charge. The platform is also engineered to handle up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) of towing and a payload of 2,700 lbs (1,224 kg).
At the heart of the STLA Frame is a high-strength steel structure, with a floor-integrated battery pack designed to lower the center of gravity and enhance rigidity. All models based on this architecture also come with a full-length belly pan to reduce aerodynamic drag, and it supports water fording of up to 24 inches (610 mm), which is important for pickups and SUVs.
To hit that 500-mile range, Stellantis equips the STLA Frame with liquid-cooled battery packs ranging from 159 kWh to 200 kWh. Charging times also get a technological boost. Thanks to an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture, BEV models can gain up to 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger. Range-extender versions, which use a 400-volt system, manage a respectable 50 miles in 10 minutes using a 175 kW charger.
Rounding out the charging tech is bi-directional functionality, allowing these vehicles to power homes, charge other EVs, or even feed energy back into the grid.
Power Meets Performance
Big trucks with big batteries demand equally big power. The STLA Frame accommodates electric motors mounted at both the front and rear axles, each capable of delivering 335 hp. Combined, they promise brisk performance with a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in as little as 4.4 seconds. That’s high-end sports car speed for what are essentially rolling power tools.
The Missing Pieces
Interestingly, Stellantis has yet to specify timelines for ICE, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered iterations of the platform. For now, the focus remains on BEVs and range-extender setups, as seen with the Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger. This emphasis on electrification feels deliberate, but it leaves questions about how soon the other powertrains will make their debut.
As Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares explained, the STLA Frame delivers
Best-in-class range, payload and towing for our customers who need reliable and powerful trucks and SUVs.
Tavares positioned the platform as a “no compromise” solution for buyers hesitant to embrace EVs, emphasizing its role in the company’s upcoming Jeep and Ram product blitz.
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Stellantis Reveals New STLA Frame Supporting EVs, Hybrids, Hydrogen, And ICE Trucks, source