Stellantis has officially canceled its plans to launch an electrified Jeep Gladiator 4xe plug-in hybrid in North America, despite announcing the model just one year ago. The automaker confirmed the decision in a statement to TechCrunch, saying it is reassessing its product strategy in response to evolving consumer demand.
“The Jeep Gladiator carries its rugged styling and authentic design into 2026 while adding incredible new content straight from the factory,” the company said. “As customers’ propulsion preferences for battery-electric trucks continue to evolve, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will no longer include an electrified Gladiator variant in the Jeep lineup.”
Instead, Stellantis said it will reinvest in the long-term growth of the Jeep Gladiator, focusing on factory-backed customization, customer-requested features, and new powertrain options.
The move follows a broader pullback by Stellantis on its U.S. EV product strategy. Just last week, the company revealed it would abandon plans for a battery-electric Ram full-size pickup, citing low demand. Stellantis now plans to pursue an extended-range Ram truck capable of 690 miles by combining a battery with a gas generator.
Stellantis isn’t alone in rethinking ambitious EV launches. Automakers including Ford, GM, Mercedes, and Volkswagen have all scaled back or delayed electric vehicle rollouts. Factors such as lower-than-expected demand, oversaturation in the luxury EV segment, and the looming end of the U.S. federal EV tax credit have influenced these pivots.
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Many carmakers are now turning their attention to more affordable EVs, a segment expected to attract a wider consumer base despite slimmer profit margins. Ford, for example, has delayed its next-generation EV pickup to prioritize a mid-sized, $30,000 electric truck slated for 2027. Meanwhile, newcomer Slate is working on a minimalist electric pickup expected to launch under $30,000.
The decision to drop the Gladiator 4xe underscores how quickly automakers are adjusting strategies in the fast-changing EV market.
