Ram ProMaster EV to reach customers in the second half of 2023 [Update]

  • ProMaster EV will be Ram's first electric vehicle when it launches this year
  • Will compete with the Ford E-Transit and GM's BrightDrop Zevo 600
  • Is part of the 'Stellantis Pro One' global commercial vehicle strategy
  • Amazon to be the van's biggest buyer eying thousands of units

Update: ‘Release Date & Manufacturing’ section revised.

When Stellantis gave the Ram ProMaster its MY2022 update in the U.S and Canada in 2021, it subtly revealed that it plans to launch a Ram ProMaster EV in these North American markets. The company will target customers considering the Ford E-Transit, the Rivian EDV 700 van, and the Brightdrop Zevo 600 with its electric van, which will reach customers in the second half of the year.

Design

The gas-powered Ram ProMaster is basically North America’s Fiat Ducato. Similarly, the Ram ProMaster EV should be technically related to the Fiat E-Ducato, the Ducato’s pure electric variant that debuted in April 2021 for the European region and is now on sale.

2023 Ram ProMaster EV teaser
The Ram ProMaster EV should technically be similar to the Fiat E-Ducato electric van that is available in European markets. Image Source: Ram Trucks/Stellantis

Similar looks to the gas-powered van

The Ram ProMaster EV does not feature a significant design shift from the combustion variant, which received a facelift in 2022. The gas-powered 2023 ProMaster comes with LED headlights that provide 50% more range, a sleeker hood, a new radiator grille, side air inlets, and a front bumper. The electric van will download the same updates.

Video Source: YouTube/Ram Trucks

The official teaser images of the Ram Promaster EV indicate that the blue tinge on the Ram logo is probably only a lighting effect. The design is nearly identical to the ICE 2023 ProMaster, and perhaps the only visible difference in the teaser is a slightly different frame for the lower portion of the grille. One of the teasers shows the electric van based on the Super High Roof version. The electric van features LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, chrome garnish in the fog lamp housing, and steel wheels.

According to a report from MoparInsiders.com, the ProMaster EV could be available with a passenger-side delivery door as an option. Checking this option would make the ProMaster EV a proper delivery van that provides the driver easy ingress and egress during delivery without the need to slide open the doors and store more cargo in the back.

2023 Ram ProMaster standard roof super high roof high roof
From left to right (gasoline-engined): 2023 Ram ProMaster Standard Roof, 2023 Ram ProMaster Super High Roof, and 2023 Ram ProMaster High Roof. Image Source: Stellantis

Spotted testing in Europe

The ProMaster 1500 Electric was spotted testing in Europe again after initial images of the test mules emerged late in 2021. Facebook user Gabetz Spy Unit posted multiple pictures of the test mules, whose fascia was covered in black camouflaging to hide the details. A “Ram 1500 ProMaster” badge was also seen above the front right fender. Moreover, the electric van was parked next to the Fiat e-Ducato, the ProMaster 1500 Electric’s technical cousin.

Expected specifications

Battery Life & Range

Fiat’s all-electric van comes in two battery pack options, one comprising three modules with 47 kWh energy content and one consisting of five modules with 79 kWh energy content. Organized in parallel, the modules of both 47 and 79 kWh battery packs pose no issue in case one of them fails. The other modules automatically pick up the slack and make up for the loss. Stellantis calls this feature, which it claims to be an industry-first, ‘Recovery Mode.’

The 47 kWh battery pack provides a range of up to 235 km (146 miles), and the 79 kWh battery pack offers a significantly longer range of up to 370 km (230 miles). Note that these range figures are as per WLTP, and EPA’s testing method usually gives comparatively lower figures.

Fiat E-Ducato battery pack
The Fiat E-Ducato features a Recovery Mode that sees that a failure of one of its battery pack’s modules doesn’t bring work to a half all of a sudden. Image Source: InsideEVs/Stellantis

Motor & charging

All Ducato electric configurations have a single motor generating 90 kW (121 hp) of power and 280 Nm (207 Lb.-Ft.) of torque. The maximum speed (limited) is 100 km/h or 62 mph. Customers can charge the Fiat E-Ducato with alternating current up to 22 kW and direct current up to 50 kW. It takes approximately 60 minutes to achieve a WLTP range of 62 miles with an AC charger, while the same range can be achieved in less than 30 minutes with a DC charger.

Free2move Charge

Ram ProMaster Electric owners may enjoy a special charging ecosystem that takes care of all their EV needs. In June 2023, Stellantis launched Free2move Charge, a complete charging solution that includes hardware, software, and services under the new Stellantis Charging & Energy Business Unit.

Free2move Charge offers three options charging solution options: Home, Business, and GO. Free2move Charge Home includes AC charging cables and wall boxes as well as V2H, V2G, and complete energy management systems with installation, financing, warranty, and private customer support. In the future, this vertical will add touch-free wireless solutions and inductive robot charging.

Free2move Charge Business is a full suite of charging and energy services, which fleet operators owning the Ram ProMaster Electric may find more useful. It includes early-on support, estimation of initial and future running costs, right-sizing of charging infrastructure, installation, maintenance, and public charging access.

Free2move Charge GO is about public charging points. It will give customers access to public chargers of Stellantis’ partners in various regions, plus features like reservations, subscriptions, Plug and Charge, loyalty programs, prepaid packages, mobile charging, and single invoice/billing.

Drive modes

In addition to the typical Normal, Eco, and Power drive modes, the E-Ducato offers Turtle and Recovery drive modes. The Turtle mode is similar to a smartphone’s low-battery/battery-saver mode. When the battery level is low, it automatically activates and limits the vehicle performance so that the final 8-10% charge lasts longer. In the Recovery mode, if one of the battery modules malfunctions, the others take its place to ensure that the current trip doesn’t face interruptions.

Expected features

L2 Autonomous driving

The Ram ProMaster EV should get the best of its donor model’s features. The full-size commercial van is available with LED headlights with LED DRLs, USB Type C port, wireless charging pad, Level 2 (L2) autonomous driving with Active Driving Assist, 360-degree Surround View camera, etc.

New Uconnect 5 system

The new Uconnect 5 infotainment system will likely be available in the Electric ProMaster. This system may include a 10-inch touchscreen with split-screen capability, five individual user profiles, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, customizable home screen, TomTom navigation, OTA updates, and Alexa voice assistant.

Driver assistance systems

Plenty of advanced safety and driver assistance features could be standard in the Ram ProMaster EV, including a rear backup camera, Traffic Sign Recognition, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning, post-collision braking, and Drowsiness Detection.

Accessories

As with the gas-powered model, Mopar will likely offer more than 100 parts and accessories for the Ram ProMaster EV. Customers should be able to order them at the local Ram dealership or local Mopar Custom shop and also through the Mopar e-Store. In addition to passenger-side step, paint-protection film, cargo lighting, cargo-load floor, cargo compartment floor mat, cargo lighting, D-pillar grab handles, and more items shared with the gas-powered ProMaster, Mopar may offer some EV-specific equipment, like Ram-branded Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, for instance.

Release Date & Manufacturing

First U.S. BEV, Ram ProMaster, arrives 2023 

Stellantis announcement on 22 Feb 2023

Stellantis plans to start selling the Ram ProMaster Electric by December 2023, CEO Carlos Tavares revealed during the company’s 2022 results conference on February 22, 2023. Production of the Ram ProMaster EV will take place alongside the thermal engine variant at Stellantis’ Saltillo Van Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.

On October 23, 2023, Stellantis announced that it would launch the Promaster EV in the next couple of months in the U.S. as part of the new ‘Stellantis Pro One’ strategy:

The Ram brand commercial vehicle product lineup will be reinvigorated in North America with the upcoming electrified van and pickups, including the Ram ProMaster EV by the end of 2023 and the Ram 1500 REV in late 2024.

Stellantis announcement on Oct 23, 2023

Expanding Amazon’s Sustainable Delivery Network

RAM Promaster BEV teased at New York International Auto Show 2023
“In the coming months we’ll continue to make news about not just trucks, but vans, like the upcoming paradigm-shifting Ram Promaster BEV,” said Mike Koval Jr., former Ram brand CEO, at the New York International Auto Show 2023, on April 5, 2023. Image: Youtube/Ram

An agreement between Stellantis and Amazon revealed on January 5, 2022, the Ram ProMaster battery electric vehicle (BEV) will be delivered to Amazon as its first commercial customer. Amazon is in the process of transforming its sustainable last-mile delivery process to achieve its target of net-zero carbon by 2040 in support of The Climate Pledge. Stellantis has designed the vehicle taking input from Amazon to include last-mile delivery features. This long-term agreement between the two companies will put thousands of ProMaster BEVs on the road every year in the United States.

Earlier this year, we announced Amazon will be our first commercial customer for the Ram ProMaster BEV, coming in 2023. With input from Amazon, we designed the vehicle with unique last-mile delivery features. Together, we are bringing thousands of electric vans every year to support a more sustainable delivery network.

Carlos Tavares, CEO, Stellantis (Stellantis long-term strategic plan on March 1, 2022)

Stellantis has supplied tens of thousands of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to Amazon since 2018 in North America and Europe, including Ram ProMaster, Fiat Ducato, and Peugeot and Citroen LCVs.

Ram ProMaster Hydrogen variant

During Stellantis’ H1 2022 results conference call, Tavares revealed that a Ram Promaster hydrogen variant is in the works and that it will be available in the U.S. and European countries. Stellantis plans to acquire a significant stake in French company Symbio to get access to fuel cell technology. During the company’s 2022 results conference call on February 22, 2023, Tavares said it is “coming to a similar shareholding position as the two other shareholders (Faurecia and Michelin).”

We will introduce from next year, as you know well, the ProMaster EV version that we will sell to very important customers like Amazon. And we are preparing right now for the world the fuel cell version of this ProMaster EV both for the U.S. and for Europe.

Carlos Tavares, CEO, Stellantis (H1 2022 results conference call on July 28, 2022)
Stellantis hydrogen FCEV launch plan
The Ram ProMaster could be available in the U.S. in a hydrogen variant from 2025. Image Source: Stellantis

Previously, at the conference held in early March 2022 to reveal Stellantis’ long-term strategic plan (Dare Forward 2030), Tavares had said that the company is “a front-runner in the hydrogen race.” Hydrogen fuel cell technology particularly suits the needs of CV customers who require long-range, fast refueling and zero emissions without compromising payload capacity.

In 2024, we plan to increase our mid-van production capacity and extend our hydrogen offer to large vans in Europe. And in 2025, we’ll start extending our large van offer to U.S. customers while further exploring opportunities for heavy-duty trucks.

Carlos Tavares, CEO, Stellantis (Stellantis long-term strategic plan on March 1, 2022)

Ram ProMaster sales

Stellantis sold 76,850 units of the (combustion-engined) ProMaster in 2022, registering a 1% year-over-year decline (2021: 77,940 units). 60,936 units came from the ProMaster Van (2021: 63,361 units) and 15,914 units from the ProMaster City (2021: 14,579 units). As the semiconductor chip crisis eases, production and sales numbers are expected to improve in 2023.

TopElectricSUV says

The Ram ProMaster EV may not seem a groundbreaking product compared to its rivals from Rivian and BrightDrop, but as the first Ram EV, it marks a significant milestone for the brand. Plus, with a simple design and Mexican production, it could beat the American vans in pricing. Though the demand for the conventional ProMaster is increasing, many American fleet operators are showing a strong interest in switching to EVs. The all-electric ProMaster arrives just in time to bank on its donor model’s rising popularity and the spurt in EV adoption.

Ram ProMaster EV FAQs

What is the Ram ProMaster EV release date?

The Ram ProMaster EV will arrive in the U.S. and Canada by December 2023.

What will be the Ram ProMaster EV range?

The Ram ProMaster EV could offer a range of 100-150 miles (EPA est.).

Which electric vans will compete with the ProMaster EV?

The ProMaster Electric will compete with the Ford E-Transit, the BrightDrop Zevo 600, and the Rivian EDV 700.

Featured Image Source: Ram Trucks/Stellantis