Ram’s first battery-electric pickup truck will debut at 9:20 am today at the New York International Auto Show. Ram’s leader, Mike Koval, Jr., called it “a monumental milestone on our continued journey to offer the industry’s best electrified solutions” and noted its class-leading range, towing capacity, payload, and charging time. [See launch images and some additional info]
As many predicted, there will be two electric versions, one with a 168 kWh battery pack and 350-mile target range, and a second with a 229 kWh battery pack and best-in-class 500-mile target range. Either one can quickly add up to 110 miles of range in ten minutes with 800VDC charging (at up to 350 kW).
The Ram doesn’t just take power; it can lend power to the house or work site, provide extra power to the grid, or charge another Stellantis electric vehicle. It can be used as a house battery backup, with a panel in the bed providing up to 7200 watts of power—and another in the funk providing up to 3600 watts.
Though it’s not a Dodge, the Ram 1500 REV will leap to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, with 654 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque (close to the Hellcat range, and far above any current Ram gasoline engine).
For those interested in trucking rather than racing, the Ram 1500 REV has a payload up to 2,700 pounds, up to 14,000 pounds of towing, and, for those times when you don’t have a road, up to 24 inches of water crossing. Like other Rams, it will be sold in numerous trim levels—Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited, and, now, Tungsten.
A new Ram 1500 REV XR with “class-shattering range” is still to be announced; it is rumored as having an internal combustion range extender.
Deeper dive: behind the figures
The Ram 1500 REV’s twin 250-kW electric drive modules (EDMs) combine the motor, gearbox, and inverter to provide all-wheel-drive capability by having one on the front axle and one on the rear axle. The one up front includes an automatic disconnect to allow the front wheels to spin freely, increasing efficiency; while the rear can be combined with an optional electronic-locking differential.
This is the first vehicle on the new STLA Frame platform, created for full-size body-on-frame electric vehicles. The high-strength steel frame is wider in the middle to include the battery pack—and to protect it with the frame rails. A full-length aero belly pan cuts drag, resulting in an estimated .340 coefficient of drag (cD).
As one would expect from a Ram 1500 pickup, the ride and handling is at the top of the class, due to a multi-link independent rear suspension and standard active-leveling four-corner air suspension with adaptive damping. The air suspension has five modes: entry/exit (lowest), aero (low), normal, and two off-road (raised) settings. New 22-by-9-inch aluminum wheels with 275/50R22 Pirelli Scorpion tires, which combine wear resistance and low road noise, complete the package.
Autonomous vehicle capabilities include automated parking and active driving assistance (lane centering with adaptive cruise, guided by radars and cameras).
Interior and exterior: Ram BEV styling and features
Interior materials include carbon fiber, metal, and leather elements. The interior has UConnect 5 with a massive new 14.5-inch center touch screen (or a 12-inch one); a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster; the first 10 1/4 inch passenger screen in the segment; a digital rear view mirror; a head-up display; and a Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. An e-shifter has buttons for economy mode, axle lock, and hill descent control in addition to the usual Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The motor can generate power on two levels, normal and one-pedal driving (maximum). Finally, the Ram REV has a “push-button trailer steering knob” and accessory switch bank that, with the 14.5-inch touchscreen, uses buttons both on the bottom of the touchscreen and directly below it.
The top of the line Ram 1500 REV Tungsten is quite premium; it has an Indigo/Sea Salt interior with new platinum patina/semi-bright dual-textured metal accents with diamond knurling. Other features are suede-wrapped headliner, visors, and pillars; and heated/ventilated quilted leather front seats with 24-way power, memory, massage, power lumbar support, and four-way powered headrests. The Tungsten badge on the console has inlaid lettering to show the VIN and a Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system with 23 speakers, not to mention new dual wireless chargers, and a metal pedal kit.
The Ram 1500 REV includes lit “tuning fork” LED headlamps, a lighted Ram badge in a new typeface, and a one-touch power frunk with a best-in-class 15 cu.-ft. of space. The Ram 1500 REV uses a body-color front fascia, separating it from the other Ram 1500 pickups.
The fender openings have been stretched to cover 20- or 22-inch all-terrain tires. The hood increases frunk volume with sculpting of the surface. A taut, arcing body-side character line stretches from front to rear. The charge port is on the driver’s side front quarter panel; when it is plugged in, LEDs blink; a sound signals that charging has begun. The charge port combines Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging on the top half, and DC fast charging on the bottom half.
In back, the Tungsten has a new power tailgate and new Ram badge, with EV-specific LED taillights that span onto the tailgate. The bed provides locking storage with the Rambox and a 115VAC outlet. RamBox is illuminated, highly versatile, and weatherproof, and includes drain plugs on the bottom of the storage bins.
Technology
The center display is reconfigurable, with split-screen if the driver wants to run two programs. It is available in 12 or 14.5 inch setups. The 10.25-inch passenger screen has a choice of Co-Pilot (navigation, device management), HDMI entertainment, and the ability to view the exterior vehicle cameras.
The new EV Pages, like SRT pages, show a number of key performance figures and settings:
- Power Flow, in kW
- Range Impact: advises how to increase range
- Driving History: power/charge bar chart showing energy use and regeneration in four intervals
- Charge recommends
- Plug & Charge authorizes payments when plugged into a compatible charging station
- Max Battery Level (choose between 80% for daily needs and battery longevity, or 100% for long distance)
- Charging Level
- Current power, regeneration, range, and battery temperature
The full color head-up display (HUD) is configurable up to 10 inches, so it can include several different content areas at once. These can include Lane Departure, Lane Keep Assist, adaptive cruise control, turn-by-turn navigation, current speed, current gear, and speed limit. HUD settings can be saved within the driver profiles.
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster includes a new screen that shows estimated charge times for both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers and One Pedal Driving. Nearly two dozen different menus are offered, including driver-assist technologies and speed limit traffic signs.
The optional Smartphone as a Key, with the Ram app, lets owners use their smartphone as a key to get into and start the truck, without even taking their phone out. Ram owners can create digital keys to share the truck with friends or family, with full access control. A card key can be used when the phone battery is dead or the driver doesn’t have their phone. A traditional key fob is standard, but the smartphone and card key options give customers more flexibility in terms of how they access their truck.
The new Ram 1500 Tungsten’s standard Klipsch audio system uses employs 23 tuned speakers, including a 12-inch subwoofer.
