Ram arrives late to the EV party with his Revolution concept. Ford is already selling the F-150 Lightning, and Chevrolet hopes to start production of the Silverado EV in the spring. The concept Ram revealed at this year’s CES looks pretty promising, but it might not look like the production version that’s slated to hit shelves sometime in 2024.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said during a media roundtable interview during the show that Revolution is “still a concept” but “you’re going to see technology and functionality in the next generation.” He added that the concept “represents what we wanted to do – it started as a brainstorm and it became more viable in terms of powertrain capabilities.” How much changes remains to be seen, with the production-ready Ram 1500 Revolution BEV expected to debut in the coming months.
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The trucks that the brand showcased at CES are fully electric. The automaker didn’t disclose any details about the powertrain, performance numbers or range. However, the truck will have more than just the battery when it enters production. The automaker plans to offer its next-generation pickup with a range extender, pairing an electric powertrain with a gas engine though a pure BEV is the company’s goal. Adding a petrol engine will help differentiate Ram trucks from Ford and Chevy, particularly in terms of towing capabilities. Heavy loads damage the EV’s range.
Ram packs the concept with a lot of technology that could end up in the production version. The truck’s 800-volt DC system with up to 350 kilowatts of fast charging and four-wheel drive is likely to make it a reality. 24-inch wheels, digital side mirrors and Level 3 capability maybe not. Inside, features such as a 28-inch dual-screen infotainment setup, capacitive steering wheel controls and augmented reality head-up display are also items that may be coming to the truck.
The production version will use the Stellantis STLA Frame platform, which will allow it to accommodate battery packs ranging from 159 kilowatt-hours to over 200 kWh. This will give the EV a range of up to 500 miles (805 kilometers). The platform-riding model will measure 212.5 to 232.3 inches (5,400 to 5,900 millimeters) in length.
