Auto giant Stellantis has its third “BEV-native” platform that it says will deliver range of 800 kms for new battery electric vehicle models, including with its Jeep and Ram brands.
The release of the so-called “multi-energy” platform, will be used in full battery electric cars and plug in hybrids and is designed for big vehicles such utes, but it comes as Stellantis confirmed it was pushing back the launch of its Ram all-electric pickup truck/ute to the first half of 2025.
The scalable STLA Frame will also be capable of moving a 1.2 tonne payload and towing over 6 tonnes. Dual electric drive modules will also deliver standard all-wheel drive capability, while on BEV models the STLA Frame will feature 400v and 800v EV architectures and DC fast charging up to 350kW.
Designed for the company’s full-size pickup trucks, light commercial vehicles, and SUVs, the STLA Frame will initially be offered in a full BEV and REEV configurations – with the Ram and Jeep brand vehicles identified as the first to use the STLA Frame.
“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,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “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.”
For the so-called REEV system – which uses an on-board generator and internal combustion engine as the range extender – there is no direct mechanical path between the engine and the wheels, with the generator instead powering the front and rear electric drive modules to propel the vehicle and recharge the battery as required.
Stellantis is billing this as particularly useful for hauling or towing heavy loads over extended distances, with the technology ensuring extended range even under load conditions while still benefiting from the torque of the electric engines.
In terms of range, a BEV model built on the STLA Frame will be capable of up to 800 kilometres, while the REEV models will be capable of up to 1,100 kilometres. Front and rear electric drive modules are rated up to 250kW and can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds.
The STLA Frame accommodates liquid-cooled battery packs ranging from 159kWh to more than 200kWh. Meanwhile, a wider centre section houses the battery pack which is surrounded with reinforced frame rails to protect the battery pack in the event of a side impact.
The new platform also accommodates fast charging, with BEV configurations boasting 800v DC fast charging up to 350kW which will be able to add 160 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes. REEV models are a bit slower, with 400v DC fast charging up to 175kW capable of adding up to 80 kilometres in 10 minutes.
Vehicles built on the STLA Frame platform will also be equipped with bi-directional charging.
As for why Stellantis has delayed the launch of its Ram electric ute, company STavares was coy with details.
“We are just facing a very significant amount of workload, and we want to be very prudent in the way we validate the products, so we take our time, and we make sure that we manage the peak,” Tavares said during a virtual media event on Tuesday.
“We don’t want to rush. … It’s better to take a few weeks more to validate properly than to rush and then to make mistakes in terms of quality. That’s what we are doing now.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.