Update: ‘Ram 1500 REV release date’ section updated.
It is no news that Ram is transitioning to EVs slower than its rivals, but it has an exciting product in the pipeline – the Ram 1500 REV. Ram, “the only dedicated truck and van brand,” as CEO Mike Koval Jr. proudly markets it, plans to launch its first electric truck in 2024. Here’s everything we know about the Ram 1500 electric truck:
Design
The 1500 REV’s exterior looks quite basic compared to the 1500 Revolution concept. Stellantis led everyone to believe that the latter would evolve into the dealer-bound truck, but that wasn’t the plan. Now, it suggests that the concept was a preview of the second-gen 1500 REV. In our opinion, it should’ve revealed the concept much after the first-gen 1500 REV, as many like us could have been misled to believe that it was a realistic preview of Ram’s first electric truck.
Front
The Ram 1500 REV isn’t a model designed as an electric vehicle from the outset. It’s a modified version of the combustion-engined Ram 1500, which is why it has a familiar shape and similar proportions. There are some design differences, though, mostly concentrated at the front.
The first production Ram electric truck features a revised version of the Ram 1500 Revolution concept’s tuning fork LED headlights, a gloss black panel along with an illuminated Ram logo between the headlights, a new bumper, and a new lower air intake. The hood is also new, which makes it look a little cleaner than that of the ICE model. It features “REV” branding, just like on the concept.
In April 2023, in an interview with Automotive News, Stellantis CDO Ralph Gilles said “The front-end (of the first-gen model) wasn’t going to look like that.” After looking at the concept, it made changes to the front and rear to embody elements from the show truck.
Side & Rear
On the sides, the 1500 EV sports six-spoke 22-inch aero wheels (wrapped in 275/50R22 Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires) to give it a proper EV look. A flap above the left-side front wheel arch opens up its charging port. At the rear, the electric truck features new tail lamps with horizontal extensions inward at the top and a tailgate with new sculpting and block-lettered brand inscription. So when driving up to one on Interstate 90, it’ll be hard to miss the 1500 REV or mistake it for the regular gas truck!
Gilles revealed that the Revolution concept is on a nationwide tour, being used to gather customer feedback. “We want to see what resonates from that as we craft the next generation, but right now we’re very proud of the current one, so it’s a lot,” the design boss said. “We’re doing the future, the present, and the distant future all at the same time,” he added.
Interior
A few changes have been made to the interior of the Ram 1500 REV, but the overall design and layout remain the same as the gas-powered truck. In touch and feel, we didn’t have anything special to report in the gas-powered truck. Nonetheless, it appears that improvements have been made which will be welcomed by those who use the electric truck.
The 1500 REV has an electronic gear shifter with new buttons for eco mode, axle lock, hill-descent control, and frunk open/close, new regen buttons, and a redesigned starter button featuring an illuminated power symbol.
The electric model’s touchscreen is slightly taller than the donor model’s 12-inch unit. It measures 14.5 inches diagonally. However, the lower-end configurations have a 12-inch central display, not the bigger, 14.5-inch unit. Obviously, the Uconnect infotainment system of the electric model has some exclusive content related to power management. There are EV Pages showing the power flow, charge schedules, range impact, and much more.
In the electric model, the center console panel that houses the switches for adjusting ride height, turning on or off parking sensors, and a variety of other functions is missing. Most of these functions seem to have been integrated into the touchscreen infotainment system. A small change here is the addition of additional USB ports.
Our favorite part is the inclusion of a 12.3-inch passenger display, which Stellantis first introduced in Jeep models. The front passenger can use their dedicated display to control navigation, enjoy media content, and view the live feed from the exterior vehicle cameras.
The instrument cluster is a new 12.3-inch digital display that shows the charge schedule and one pedal driving information. Digital IRVM, a head-up display, and a 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system are among the other highlights in the in-cabin electronics department.
Platform & Capability
STLA Frame platform
The Ram 1500 REV is the first model based on the STLA Frame platform. STLA Frame is a body-on-frame platform for full-size electric vehicles and it has double the normal operating voltage – 800 V. Stellantis says the platform is wider in the middle to make room for the traction battery pack while still using the frame rails’ protection. A full-length aerodynamically optimized underbody gives it a slightly lower estimated drag coefficient of 0.340 Cd compared to the regular Ram 1500 (0.357 Cd).
Air suspension
The 1500 REV has a multi-link independent rear suspension with standard, active-level, four-corner air suspension with adaptive damping. The driver can choose from five different modes for the adjustable air suspension: entry/exit, aero, normal, off-road 1, and off-road 2. The driver can adjust the height to a lower level for maximum aerodynamic efficiency on the highway, a higher level during off-roading, or somewhere in between in other situations.
Performance
The Ram 1500 electric truck has two electric drive modules (EDMs), which integrate the motor, gearbox, and inverter, on each axle. It is possible to disengage the EDM on the front axle when not required and maximize efficiency. An electronic-locking differential is optionally available for the EDM on the rear axle. One-pedal driving is possible in the 1500 REV.
The top-end dual-motor powertrain produces 654 horsepower and 620 lb.-ft. of torque, giving the electric pickup a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 4.4 seconds. In our experience, we have seen manufacturers take a phased launch strategy to match their production capacity, so street-performance- and off-road performance-oriented triple-motor AWD configurations could follow down the road.
The 1500 REV should get firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) upgrades for improved performance and efficiency throughout its lifecycle. Mamatha Chamarthi, the company’s SVP for Software Business & Product, has suggested that software-enabled performance upgrades will be available after the delivery.
For our Ram pickup owners, customers can increase the capability of their truck to handle greater loads.
Mamatha Chamarthi, SVP – Software Business & Product, Stellantis (Stellantis Software Day 2021 on December 7, 2021)
Class-leading towing & payload
The Ram 1500 REV can tow up to 14,000 lbs. and carry a payload of up to 2,700 lbs. While we’re on the subject of capabilities, another specification worth noting is the maximum water fording depth – 24 in. The 1500 REV has some autonomous driving capabilities, too, including Hands-free Active Driving Assist and ParkSense Automated Parking System.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning can haul 2,235 pounds, while the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV offers up to 1,300 pounds of payload capacity. As for the towing capacity, the F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 pounds, while the Silverado EV, with an optional package, can do up to 20,000 pounds! Like the F-150 Lightning, the Ram 1500 REV may come with a spare wheel below the bed.
Front Storage
When we tried using the frunk on smaller EVs, we found it impractical, and it ended up being more of a marketing ploy. However, trucks and large SUVs have much more space and are handy. We find this to be especially true for the 1500 REV, which gets a weatherproof 15 cu. ft. frunk, finished with a power outlet.
Range & charging
1500 REV customers get two battery pack options: 168 kWh and 229 kWh. The 168 kWh unit should deliver a range of up to 350 miles, while the official estimate (but not yet EPA-confirmed) for the 229 kWh unit is 500 miles! A configuration with a longer, “class-shattering range” will become available at a later stage, though this is expected to also feature a combustion engine as a range extender.
Both the battery packs that we mentioned above support charging at up to 350 kW and can gain up to 110 miles of range in just about 10 minutes. Plug and charge, supported at compatible charging stations, makes charging more convenient. The driver can cap the charging at 80% to prolong the life of the battery pack.
Vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging are possible with the 1500 REV. An onboard power panel in the bed can offload up to 7.2 kW, and there’s a similar provision in the frunk, too, but with half the power (3.6 kW).
RamBox
The 1500 REV does have a RamBox. Claimed to be the segment-best lockable bed storage compartment, it’s illuminated and weatherproof, includes drain plugs at the bottom of the storage bins, and features a 115-volt power outlet. On the gas-powered model, we see this useful feature safely carrying work boots, tow ropes, jumper cables, tools, backpacks, and pretty much anything that is usually fluttering about around and under the seat!
The F-150 Lightning can deliver an EPA-est. range of up to 320 miles, while the Silverado EV travels over 400 miles on a full charge, as per GM’s estimation. Tesla, meanwhile, has promised up to 500 miles of range in the Cybertruck.
| Ram 1500 Electric aspect | Specification |
| Range | 350 & 500 miles |
| Towing | Up to 14,000 lbs. |
| Payload | 2,700 lbs. |
| Charging (DC) | 110 miles in 10 min |
| Frunk | 15 cu.ft |
| Power | 654 hp |
| Torque | 620 lb-ft. |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | 4.4 sec |
Production
Stellantis hasn’t revealed the production site of the Ram 1500 REV. We expect it to build the electric pickup at the same facility that produces the latest gas-powered Ram 1500 – Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Michigan). Production will begin between October and December 2024, as per a report Detroit Free Press published on April 15, 2023.
Ram 1500 REV release date
The Ram electric truck will start arriving at U.S. dealerships in the Oct-Dec 2024 period. The new electric pickup’s reservations opened on February 12, 2023, the same day it had its virtual reveal in a 60-second “Premature Electrification” Super Bowl TV commercial.
Prospective customers who want to reserve the Ram 1500 Electric need to sign up for a Ram REV Insider+ membership by paying a refundable fee of USD 100. The membership also gives reservation holders exclusive access to events, news, and information about the model.
It’ll likely be a year before the Ram 1500 REV goes up on display at U.S. dealerships. Reservation holders, prospective customers, and others who wish to see it earlier will be able to explore it at prominent upcoming auto shows. In September 2023, the new electric truck was on display at the 2023 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Next, we expect it to appear at the 2023 LA Auto Show, which will open for the public on November 17, 2023, and run through November 26, 2023.
Ram 1500 REV Price
The Ram 1500 REV may start at around USD 50,000. The line-up will include five trims: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited, and Tungsten (all-new). A future trim that will deliver a “class-shattering range” will be called ‘XR.’
Tungsten is the new range-topping trim at Ram. Already announced in the 1500 REV, it will be added to the gas-engined 1500 line-up, as per a leaked build sheet seen on ramtrucks.com (now taken down). In the 1500 Electric, the Tungsten trim features a power tailgate and flaunts a new block-lettered brand logo.
Inside, the 1500 REV Tungsten has an Indigo/Sea Salt color scheme and platinum patina/semi-bright dual-textured metal accents featuring diamond knurling. Quilted leather upholstery and suede-wrapped headliner add to the premium appeal of this grade. There’s also a Tungsten badge on the center console, featuring inlaid lettering diamond knurling, which also reads the VIN.
The 1500 REV Tungsten is loaded with comfort and convenience features and high-end electronics. The driver and front passenger travel can relax like in a luxury model, thanks to seats with 24-way power adjustment, power lumbar support, 4-way powered headrests, memory settings, and a massage function. 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system, wireless smartphone chargers, and a metal pedal kit are also among the equipment highlights.
Ram to continue using combustion engines
The launch of the Ram electric truck won’t mean the end for gas- and diesel-powered Ram 1500 models. Stellantis hasn’t set an end date for the ICE models of its American brands. If we talk about pickup trucks especially, America’s most popular vehicle category, there’s uncertainty about the full transition to pure electric in the country. Moreover, Ram is present in other markets where combustion models are expected to continue being in demand for easily over a decade.
Stellantis wants Ram to grow in overseas markets. “We have specifically big plans to develop our Ram pickup truck penetration and market share in many parts of the world,” CEO Carlos Tavares said during the company’s Q1 2022 earnings conference call on February 22, 2023. “Some more surprises will come for our competitors in terms of deploying the Ram brand across the world,” he added.
Not forcing Ram customers to go electric
Speaking to Road & Track in January 2023, Koval Jr. affirmed internal combustion engined-Ram truck models aren’t going out of showrooms anytime soon. Initially, Ram electric trucks will complement the regular Ram trucks that customers are familiar with and are affordable. In an interview with YouTube channel Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk at the New York International Auto Show in April 2022, Koval Jr. indicated that Ram doesn’t want to force EVs onto customers.
Dealer preparations
Stellantis’ U.S. dealerships, presumably including those of the Ram brand, are preparing for electrification. In an announcement on November 29, 2022, the parent company revealed that close to 70% of dealers are evaluating their readiness for electric vehicles. It has partnered with Michigan-based Future Energy to help dealers get the required EV integration services. Stellantis plans to offer 25 BEVs in the U.S. and aims to convert 50% of annual sales in the country to BEVs by 2030.
According to a report Automotive News published on December 2, 2022, Phil Langley, the head of the company’s network development for North America, said that the aim is to have the charging infrastructure installed at dealerships by Q1 2024. That will likely be when the company’s first wave of BEVs (including the New Fiat 500e, and Jeep Recon) will go on sale. Hiring Future Energy for upgrading dealerships is not mandatory, though, with Langley saying dealers are free to meet requirements independently. Stellantis wants dealers to offer Level 3 fast-charging points to customers.
TopElectricSUV says
If you ask us, the Ram 1500 electric truck will be late to the electric truck segment, but Stellantis and Ram officials are indicating that the wait will be worth it, as their product will deliver the best in aspects that matter to customers the most. Ram has said that the truck will be available in Q4 2024, so the wait is not ending anytime soon, and it leaves competitors with enough time to draw up plans for better and newer variants.
We find it hard to imagine that Ram will be able to beat Tesla and GM, who have been developing EVs for years and are already in the lead. However, at this point, it looks like Ram will win this race!
Ram 1500 REV FAQs
What is the Ram 1500 REV release date?
The Ram 1500 REV will start reaching dealers next year. Customer deliveries begin in the Oct-Dec 2024 period.
What will be the Ram 1500 REV price?
The base Ram 1500 REV could cost around USD 50,000.
Which models will be Ram 1500 REV rivals?
The Ram 1500 REV will compete with the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning & Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Featured Image Source: Stellantis
A Mechanical Engineer by qualification, I started out as an automotive editor of a regional magazine in 2011. In my 11 years of experience in creating automotive content, I’ve traveled around the world to review, analyze and report on the world’s top electrified cars.
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