AUTONEWS

Stellantis and its billion-dollar electrification promise are still floundering

Four years after Stellantis made a billion-dollar promise to electrify, its plans are still floundering.

When Stellantis announced its “EV Day” with great fanfare in July 2021, it seemed like the automotive conglomerate was ready to turn the key and accelerate toward the electric future.

More than 30 billion euros were promised by 2025, four new electric platforms were announced, and a commitment to electrify each of its 14 global brands.

But already in 2025 and with the middle of the decade just around the corner, the results — at least in the United States — are far from impressive.

The promise was ambitious: by the end of the decade, 70% of sales in Europe and 40% in the United States should be of “low-emission” vehicles, including electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrids.

The idea was to standardize electric motors, batteries with autonomy of up to 800 km and even adopt solid-state batteries in 2026.

On paper, it seemed like a cohesive plan. In practice, the execution is below expectations, especially among the group's more traditional brands.

Jeep, for example, is one of the few exceptions. The North American brand already sells popular plug-in hybrid versions of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and finally launched its first pure EV in 2024, the Wagoneer S, with an impressive 600 hp and 480 km of autonomy.

However, the high price — almost US$ 70 thousand — limits its commercial appeal. The long-awaited electric Jeep Recon is also on the radar, but there is still no set launch date.

Dodge took a bold step by launching the new electric Charger, with superior performance to the combustion versions.

But the starting price of US$ 60 thousand has put off buyers: sales fell almost 50% in the first quarter of 2025. In addition, the brand's only hybrid is the Hornet R/T, basically an Alfa Romeo with a new logo.

Ram, known for its robust pickup trucks, is perhaps the biggest disappointment.

The launch of the electric 1500 REV was postponed, and the only option with a plug today is the expensive (and unattractive) Promaster EV van. The Ramcharger model, which combines a combustion engine and electric traction, is still shrouded in uncertainty and has no announced price.

Worse: the heavy-duty electric pickup truck project was canceled. Chrysler, in turn, is living in limbo. With only the Pacifica plug-in minivan in its portfolio and the cancellation of the bold Airflow concept, the brand is at serious risk of being discontinued if nothing changes quickly.

On the other hand, in Europe the scenario is much more positive. Brands such as Opel, Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroën already offer electric versions of practically all of their models. Opel even provides home chargers, charging passes and assistance to EV buyers. 

Fiat also honors its promise with the 500e, the only car it sells in the US, although its American catalog is meager compared to the European variety. Lancia, although limited, launched the new electric Ypsilon with a bold design, while DS Automobiles is trying to regain momentum with the recently presented DS N°8. 

Alfa Romeo and Maserati, on the other hand, are still moving slowly: few electrified options and many delays, with projects such as the MC20 Folgore and the electric Quattroporte on hold indefinitely. As a result, the impression is that Stellantis, despite making good progress in Europe, has not been able to fulfill its promise in the United States. 

Electrification there is slow, inconsistent and, in many cases, too expensive to achieve volume. The clock is ticking, and the U.S. market won’t wait forever. If it wants to lead the electric future, Stellantis will have to step up — and step up.

Mundoquatrorodas