Dodge's electric pickup truck is postponed to be released in 2025, and Jaguar's new ultra-luxurious electric series will be launched next year | Overseas Daily
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Dodge Electric Pickup 1500 REV Delayed, Expected in the First Half of 2025
Key Points:
The first electric pickup model under the Dodge brand, the Ram 1500 REV, was originally scheduled to be launched before the end of 2024. However, according to the latest information, this plan has been postponed to the first half of 2025. Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis Group, confirmed this news in a conference call and stated that the company is dealing with a large amount of work and hopes to be cautious during the verification process. The Ram 1500 REV electric pickup made its debut at the CES 2023, attracting widespread attention with its excellent performance and technological innovation. Tavares once confidently asserted that this electric pickup would surpass all competitors in key areas such as range, payload, towing, and charging time. However, due to the need of Stellantis Group to manage the upcoming multiple electric vehicle models, including the highly anticipated electric Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep Wagoneer S, and Ram 1500 REV, the launch time of this electric pickup has to be postponed. The new STLA Frame platform of Stellantis Group provides technical support for the upcoming Ram and Jeep electric vehicle models. This platform can provide a range of up to 500 miles. For range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), such as the upcoming Ram truck, the range can reach 690 miles. The Ram 1500 REV electric pickup with an expected 168 kWh battery pack is expected to have a range of more than 350 miles, a maximum towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, and a maximum payload of 2,700 pounds.
Dodge Electric Pickup 1500 REV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The postponed launch of Dodge's first electric pickup undoubtedly brings a bit of disappointment to the long-awaited consumers and market observers. This delay not only affects Stellantis Group's layout in the electric pickup market but also reflects the challenges that the entire automotive industry faces during the electrification transformation. Firstly, from a technical perspective, as a new market segment, the technical complexity and performance requirements of electric pickups are much higher than traditional fuel vehicle models. Stellantis Group needs to ensure that the Ram 1500 REV can meet consumers' expectations for electric pickups when it is launched, including aspects such as range, performance, and safety. Therefore, the postponed launch may be due to the consideration of conducting more sufficient testing and verification to ensure the reliability and market competitiveness of the product. Secondly, from a market perspective, the competition in the electric pickup market is increasingly fierce. Competitors such as Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Ford F-150 Lightning have already or will soon launch their respective electric pickup models. The postponed launch of the Dodge electric pickup may cause it to lose the market opportunity and affect its position in the competition. From the industry trend perspective, with the global emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and promoting new energy vehicles, the electric pickup market is expected to experience rapid growth. Stellantis Group needs to accelerate the electrification process to adapt to market changes and consumer demands. The postponed launch of the Ram 1500 REV may have an impact on the group's electrification strategy, and the group needs to pay more attention to time management and resource allocation in future planning.
NIO Plans to Expand to 25 Overseas Markets Next Year, with New Brand Onvo Facilitating Global Expansion
Key Points:
NIO (NIO) has announced an ambitious overseas expansion plan, aiming to enter 25 overseas markets by the end of next year. With the newly launched low-cost LeDao brand driving demand growth, NIO expects to play a more significant role in the global electric vehicle market. This expansion plan has raised speculation about whether it will enter the US and European markets. In the just-passed October, NIO's sales exceeded 20,000 units for the sixth consecutive month, showing a strong growth momentum. Among them, the sales of NIO brand models were 16,657 units, while the newly launched LeDao brand contributed 4,319 units in its first full sales month. The LeDao L60 medium-sized electric SUV, launched at the end of September, has begun to show market potential. This model, with a starting price of just slightly over $21,000 (approximately RMB 149,900), is widely compared to Tesla's best-selling Model Y. The Onvo electric SUV is priced lower than the Model Y in China, with the latter starting at approximately $35,000 (approximately RMB 249,900). However, the $21,000 starting price of the LeDao L60 is based on battery leasing, which includes a monthly fee of $85 (approximately RMB 599) or $125 (approximately RMB 899), depending on the battery size. Even including the battery, the price of the LeDao L60 is still lower than the Tesla Model Y, with a starting price of $29,300 (approximately RMB 206,900). The Onvo L60 has dimensions of 4,828 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,616 mm in height, directly competing with the Tesla Model Y.
NIO announced its global brand strategy in May 2021. By October, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer opened its first overseas showroom in Norway. Although the company announced a plan to enter more than 25 overseas markets at the NIO Day in December 2021, the expansion pace has been relatively slow. Qin Lihong, the president and co-founder of NIO, stated in an interview with Chinese media CGTN that the company will adhere to the 2021 goal and hopes to expand to as many as 25 different countries and regions by the end of next year. Although specific markets were not mentioned, local media reports suggest that it will include major automotive centers such as the US, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it is expected that the stricter regulation of Chinese electric vehicle imports by the US may make it more difficult for NIO to compete in the US market. With the popularity of NIO's new LeDao L60, this low-cost brand may play an important role in the company's overseas expansion. According to Ai Tiecheng, the president of LeDao, as of November 14, more than 7,000 L60 models have been delivered. It is expected that by March 2025, LeDao will deliver more than 20,000 units per month. LeDao also plans to launch a second electric vehicle next year, which will be a six or seven-seater electric SUV. NIO CEO Li Bin stated that the new LeDao model will be more competitive than the L60.
LeDao L60 (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
NIO's overseas expansion plan and the market performance of the new brand LeDao not only demonstrate the ambition of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers in the global market but also reflect the competitiveness of Chinese brands in the global new energy vehicle field. NIO has successfully attracted consumers by launching more cost-effective brands and models, which to a certain extent challenges the market position of international brands such as Tesla. Firstly, the launch of the NIO LeDao brand, especially the success of the L60 electric SUV, shows NIO's flexibility in product positioning and market strategy. By providing a model that competes with the Tesla Model Y but at a lower price, NIO has successfully gained a certain market share in the Chinese market. This strategy not only helps NIO consolidate its position in the domestic market but also lays the foundation for overseas market expansion. Secondly, NIO's global expansion plan shows the ambition of Chinese electric vehicle brands in the global market. By entering more overseas markets, NIO has the opportunity to increase brand awareness and market share globally. However, this also means that NIO needs to face more challenges, including different market regulations, consumer preferences, and fierce competition with local brands. NIO's expansion plan is a positive signal for the Chinese electric vehicle industry. With more and more Chinese brands going to the international market, China's influence in the global new energy vehicle field will continue to grow. This not only helps promote the transformation and upgrading of the Chinese automotive industry but also provides new impetus for the development of global new energy vehicles.
Stellantis Unveils New STLA Frame Platform, with Jeep and Ram Electric Models Offering Up to 800 Kilometers of Range
Key Points:
Stellantis Group has recently launched its latest electric vehicle platform - the STLA Frame platform, which will be first applied to the upcoming Jeep and Ram electric vehicle models. The STLA Frame platform aims to provide "the best in class" performance, including a range of up to 500 miles. This new platform is specifically designed for full-size trucks and SUVs, and Stellantis Group hopes to occupy a larger share in the growing electric market through this platform. The STLA Frame platform will support pure electric (EV), range-extended (REEV), hybrid (HEV), internal combustion engine (ICE), and hydrogen-powered vehicle models. The Ram brand plans to launch its first electric pickup - the Ram 1500 REV - at the beginning of next year, and this model will be based on the STLA Frame platform, offering both EV and REEV configurations.
The design goal of the STLA Frame platform is to provide "the best in class" performance, including range, towing, and payload capabilities. The platform can achieve a "leading in class" range of up to 500 miles (800 kilometers), a maximum towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, and a payload rating of 2,700 pounds. The central part of the platform is widened to accommodate liquid-cooled battery packs ranging from 159 kWh to over 200 kWh. In addition, the platform's charging capacity is up to 350 kW, which can increase the range by 100 miles in 10 minutes. Vehicles based on the STLA Frame platform will also have bi-directional charging capabilities, which can supply power to the home or feed energy back to the grid. The length of vehicles based on this platform will range from 216 inches to 234 inches. In comparison, the 2025 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is 232 inches long. The Jeep and Ram electric models will be the first to use the STLA Frame platform. Although we know that the Ram 1500 will be based on this platform, it is expected to also support upcoming Jeep models, such as the Grand Wagoneer. Jeep's first global electric SUV - the Wagoneer S - is about to be launched in US dealerships, with an expected starting price of $71,995 and an expected range of more than 300 miles.
Jeep Wagoneer S (Source: Jeep)
Opinions:
The debut of this platform not only marks Stellantis' determination to further expand its market share in the full-size truck and SUV fields but also showcases its ambition in the electric vehicle technology field. The design concept of the STLA Frame platform is impressive. It not only supports pure electric (EV), range-extended (REEV), hybrid (HEV), internal combustion engine (ICE), and hydrogen-powered vehicle models, but this flexibility also provides a broad space for the future product line. Especially for Ram's first electric pickup - the Ram 1500 REV, the application of this platform indicates the arrival of a new competitor in the electric pickup market. From a technical perspective, the highlight of the STLA Frame platform is its excellent range capability. A range of 500 miles (approximately 800 kilometers), as well as a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,700 pounds, these parameters are quite competitive in the current electric vehicle market. Especially for consumers who pursue practicality and performance, such performance indicators are undoubtedly very attractive.
In addition, the platform's fast charging capability and bi-directional charging function are also its technical highlights. The 350 kW charging capacity means that the range can be increased by 100 miles in just 10 minutes, which is crucial for improving the practicality and convenience of electric vehicles. The application of bi-directional charging technology can not only supply power to the home but also feed energy back to the grid. This energy flexibility and interactivity is an important direction for the future development of electric vehicles. However, we should also note that although the STLA Frame platform has many technical advantages, the market competition is still fierce. Brands such as Tesla and Ford have already occupied a certain first-mover advantage in the electric pickup market. If Stellantis Group wants to make a breakthrough in this field, in addition to technical advantages, it also needs to make a comprehensive layout in brand building, marketing, after-sales service, and other aspects.
"Big Events"
Tesla's Large-Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Project Settles in Arizona, Boosting Energy Supply
Arizona is about to get a huge 200-megawatt Tesla lithium-ion battery energy storage system to support the state's growing energy demand. This project is jointly initiated by the utility company Salt River Project (SRP) and Flatland Storage, a subsidiary of EDP Renewables North America, aiming to help SRP meet the energy needs of Arizona's rapidly growing population.
The Flatland Energy Storage Project is the largest utility-scale energy storage project globally for the EDP Group to date. The project will be located in south-central Arizona, near Coolidge, and will use the Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion battery energy storage system. The system will have a capacity of 200 megawatts / 800 megawatt-hours, enough to supply power to approximately 45,000 households for four hours during peak electricity usage. The batteries will absorb excess energy and store it when customer demand is low for use during peak demand. The project is expected to come online in 2025. In addition, compared to traditional energy generation, the Flatland project will save more than 169 million gallons of water resources annually. This is the second collaboration between SRP and EDPR NA - the Flatland project will be located within their previous project, the Brittlebush Solar Park, which has already provided 200 megawatts of solar power to SRP customers. This geographical location means that the batteries can store energy from the solar park and the grid.
Tesla's Large-Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Project (Source: Electrek)
The Flatland project will also promote local economic development. The project's capital investment exceeds $271 million and will pay $7 million in taxes to the local government and support small businesses throughout its lifecycle. Bobby Olsen, SRP's chief planning, strategy, and sustainability officer, emphasizes that energy storage is crucial for SRP's decarbonization goals. Olsen said: "Battery energy storage is an important part of SRP's plan to decarbonize our portfolio and maximize the delivery of renewable energy to our customers." SRP hopes to reduce carbon emissions by 82% from 2005 levels by 2035 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The utility company is advancing plans to retire 1,300 megawatts of coal resources, currently has nearly 1,300 megawatts of energy storage and nearly