Stellantis Reveals STLA Frame Platform Specs to Solve Electric Towing Dilemma for Ram and Jeep
Stellantis officially released the technical architecture for its highly anticipated STLA Frame platform this week, creating a definitive roadmap for the electrification of its massive profit centers, Ram and Jeep. In a detailed briefing that addressed the industry’s skepticism regarding electric truck utility, the automotive giant confirmed that this body-on-frame architecture will support a Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) configuration capable of achieving 690 miles (1,100 kilometers) of total driving range. This massive figure is achieved by pairing large liquid-cooled battery packs, ranging from 159 kWh to over 200 kWh, with an on-board internal combustion generator that recharges the system while driving, specifically designed to maintain payload performance without the range anxiety plaguing pure electric competitors.
The engineering data provided suggests a “no compromise” approach to the transition, directly targeting the specifications of current heavy-duty combustion trucks. The platform is rated to support a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) and a payload rating of 2,700 pounds (1,224 kg), figures that match or exceed many half-ton V8 counterparts currently in showrooms. Crucially, Stellantis executives emphasized that the STLA Frame utilizes a widened center section to protect the battery pack within the high-strength steel rails, ensuring that off-road capability remains intact with up to 24 inches of water-fording depth. This structural rigidity allows the platform to underpin not just the upcoming Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger, but also future electrified iterations of the Jeep Gladiator and Grand Wagoneer.
Beyond the raw mechanical strength, the platform introduces a flexible voltage architecture that adapts to specific vehicle needs. While entry-level configurations may utilize a 400-volt system, the high-performance trims will feature an 800-volt architecture capable of DC fast charging at speeds up to 350 kW. According to Stellantis engineers, this allows the system to recover 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes, a critical metric for commercial fleet operators who cannot afford extended downtime. The architecture also integrates bi-directional charging capabilities, allowing the vehicle to serve as a mobile generator for job sites or home backup power, a feature that has become a battleground in the segment following the Ford F-150 Lightning’s launch.
CEO Carlos Tavares framed the STLA Frame unveiling as a strategic pivot toward “multi-energy” flexibility, acknowledging that a singular push toward battery-electric vehicles (BEV) does not align with the varied use cases of truck buyers globally. The platform’s modularity allows it to accept pure internal combustion, hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric powertrains with minimal tooling changes on the assembly line. This manufacturing agility is vital for the conglomerate as it navigates cooling EV demand in North America while facing stringent CO2 compliance mandates in Europe.
The timing of this deep dive is widely interpreted by industry analysts as a defensive measure to reassure investors following a turbulent third quarter for the automaker’s North American operations. By demonstrating a viable technical solution to the “towing penalty”—where EV trucks lose over 50% of their range under load—Stellantis is positioning the Ramcharger and subsequent REEV models as the superior transitional technology for the next decade. With production of STLA Frame vehicles imminent, the pressure now shifts to the execution of the software-defined vehicle features that must seamlessly integrate with this robust hardware to compete with Rivian and Tesla.
