Citing changing consumer preferences, the automaker scraps its plug-in hybrid Gladiator and pivots away from full-size electric trucks
No 4xe Gladiator After All
Stellantis has officially canceled its plans to bring an electrified Jeep Gladiator 4xe to market by 2025. The announcement comes just a year after the model was unveiled as part of the automaker’s broader push into plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).
- The decision reflects a reassessment of customer demand for electrified pickups.
- The Gladiator will remain in the lineup, but as a gas-powered, open-air pickup with added customization options.
“As customers’ propulsion preferences for battery-electric trucks continue to evolve, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy,” the company said.
Strategic Pivot: From BEVs to Extended Range
The Gladiator isn’t the only EV Stellantis is walking back. Just last week, the company scrapped plans for a Ram-branded full-size electric pickup, instead focusing on a range-extended hybrid:
- The upcoming model will combine a battery pack with a gas generator, offering an estimated 690 miles of range.
- The goal is to bridge the gap between full electric and traditional combustion, offering long range without charging anxiety.
This “generator-electric hybrid” strategy is not new, but its comeback signals growing concern over EV infrastructure limitations and market readiness.
Why Stellantis Is Changing Course
Several factors are driving the retreat from ambitious electrification plans:
- Low consumer demand for full-size electric trucks, particularly in price-sensitive segments.
- Saturation in the luxury EV market, with expensive models sitting unsold.
- The looming sunset of U.S. federal EV tax credits, which had helped offset higher EV costs.
- Pressure to focus on lower-cost EVs with broader mass-market appeal, though these have thinner margins.
In short, the economics of electrification — particularly for large vehicles — are no longer aligning with initial expectations.
Stellantis Isn’t Alone in Pulling Back
Stellantis joins a growing list of automakers who’ve dialed back once-bold EV plans:
- Ford delayed two next-gen EVs, including a full-size pickup, to focus on smaller and more affordable EVs.
- The company is investing $2 billion to transform its Louisville Assembly Plant for a $30K electric midsize pickup launching in 2027.
- GM, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group have also restructured EV timelines amid softer-than-expected demand.
While long-term EV ambitions remain, the industry is clearly recalibrating around affordability, profitability, and infrastructure readiness.
What This Means for Jeep and the Gladiator
Despite canceling the hybrid Gladiator, Stellantis emphasized its commitment to the model:
- The 2026 Gladiator lineup will feature new factory options, more customization, and possibly additional powertrains.
- The Gladiator remains the only open-air pickup in the U.S. market — a key differentiator.
For now, Jeep appears focused on refining its existing internal combustion models, while remaining open to electrification where it makes business sense.
