Stellantis NV again pushed back the launch of two high-profile battery electric Ram pickups set to be produced at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, the automaker confirmed Thursday.

The extended-range Ram 1500 Ramcharger is expected to begin production by early 2026 after initially being planned for later this year, while the launch of the fully-electric Ram 1500 REV will move further out to 2027, as first reported by Crain’s Detroit Business, citing a memo to suppliers. A local union official said he had also been anticipating production delays for the models.

Stellantis previously pushed back and shifted production plans for the trucks. After being unveiled in 2023, both pickups were initially expected to be out by late 2024.

In December, Stellantis said it would shift those timelines, pulling the launch of the Ramcharger earlier than the REV thanks to higher customer interest in the range-extended pickup. It said it would launch Ramcharger by 2025 and REV in 2026.

Now, those timelines move again. Rivals Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. have seen sluggish demand for their all-electric pickups, so further delays for the Ram version don’t come as a surprise. But Stellantis executives remain confident that Ramcharger, the first truck of its kind with a range of up to 690 miles, will be a hit with customers. It uses a new technology that pairs a battery with an onboard gas generator, a 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine, for on-the-go recharging.

“Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy in North America to align it with our competitive advantage with the Range Extended Ram and in light of slowing consumer demand for half-ton BEV pickups,” a statement from spokesperson Jodi Tinson said. “Our plan ensures we are offering customers a range of trucks with flexible powertrain options that best meet their needs.”

The Ramcharger launch pushing into 2026 comes as Stellantis is “extending the quality validation period” for the pickup to ensure high build quality, the statement said.

Michael Spencer, president of United Auto Workers Local 1700, which represents workers at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant where the trucks will be built, said any product delays are a concern for his membership.

But he said current demand for gas-powered Ram 1500 pickups built at the plant is enough to keep workers busy across three shifts, and he believes about 130 workers who have remained on layoff for several months will soon be back on the job.

The plant has often run for six days a week in recent months, and Spencer said it’s expected to stay busy later this year as new engine variants are unveiled for the 1500, and as more affordable trims of the pickup hit the market. Ram earlier this month announced a new Ram 1500 Express model with a lower starting price of $44,495.

Spencer said preparations to launch the new electrified pickups continue inside the plant. He acknowledged slowing interest in all-electric pickups but said he was optimistic about the extended-range Ramcharger.

“I think hybrid is still an option for the market, so I would like to be the plant that builds it, alongside ICE,” Spencer said.