Back at its “EV Day” in 2021, Stellantis announced a plan for four flexible electric vehicle platforms for vehicles of various sizes and styles. They were called STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large, with the fourth called STLA Frame. Stellantis launched the STLA Medium in 2023, but by the time it unveiled the Large platform in January 2024, it announced that it would support not just electric vehicles, but those with internal combustion engines (ICE) as well.
This week, Stellantis detailed the STLA Frame platform for full-size, body-on-frame trucks and SUVs for Ram and Jeep. This will be the architecture underpinning the Ram 1500 REV electric pickup. The STLA Frame performance specs are impressive, but the range doesn’t come from any special breakthrough in technology like solid-state batteries. Instead, it comes from large capacity and range extenders for its electric vehicles, like that in the upcoming Ramcharger. Additionally, Stellantis has plans for STLA Frame beyond EVs, as the platform is intended to support hybrids, hydrogen vehicles, and even ICE vehicles in the future.
Heavy-Duty Performance With Impressive Range
Vehicles — specifically full-size pickups, large SUVs, and light commercial vehicles — underpinned by STLA Frame will initially feature electric or range-extended propulsion systems, with Stellantis targeting some serious stats. With batteries ranging from 159 to more than 200 kilowatt-hours of capacity, all-electric vehicles will deliver a driving range of up to 500 miles, while range-extended EVs will stretch that out to 690 miles. They’ll be able to tow up to 14,000 pounds and offer a payload rating of 2,700 pounds. Stellantis also says the STLA Frame offers flexibility in suspension setup, including air suspension, allowing for a fording depth of up to 24 inches.
Electric drive motors will each produce up to 250 kilowatts (335 horsepower), and placing them front and rear will provide the vehicles with all-wheel drive. They’ll be capable of some serious acceleration, too, with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds.
Bidirectional Charging
All-electric STLA Frame vehicles will be equipped with an 800-volt battery architecture that allows for charging at up to 350 kilowatts, matching the fastest-charging EVs currently on the market. Stellantis claims they’ll be capable of adding 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging. The range-extended models will use 400-volt architecture, capable of 175 kilowatts, adding 50 miles in 10 minutes.
STLA Frame’s battery can also deliver power via bidirectional charging. That means the vehicles will be able to charge other EVs, provide backup power during an outage, and even feed energy back to the electric grid.
Size And Strength
Designed to be the workhorse of the new-generation platforms, STLA Frame was designed to be big and sturdy. It uses high-strength steel that improves rigidity and durability. The battery is surrounded by reinforced frame rails for side protection. As for size, the overall length will range from 216 to 234 inches, with wheelbases ranging from 123.7 to 145.3 inches. Ground clearance ranges from 6.6 to 10.3 inches, and it can accommodate tires up to 33 inches.
STLA frame is part of Stellantis’ goal of reaching 100-percent electric passenger car sales in Europe and 50-percent electric passenger car and light-duty truck sales in the U.S. by 2030. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is bullish about the new offering.
Like STLA Medium and STLA Large, STLA Frame combines an unprecedented range with new levels of capability and performance to offer best-in-class range, payload, and towing for our customers who need reliable and powerful trucks and SUVs, to haul their families or power their businesses.
he said in a statement. He believes the performance and flexibility will help customers overcome reluctance to adopt EVs, and added, “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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