After many teasers and much anticipation, the electric Ram has finally been revealed in concept form. And it’s absolutely full of features. The only thing missing from this reveal are actual numbers. All Ram wants to say right now is that the truck will lead the way in “range, towing capacity, payload and charging time.”
We’ll learn a little more about what the Ram needs to be a leader in those areas, but first, let’s go over everything that’s been covered so far, starting with the outside. The revolution follows the Silverado EV’s path of having a completely different design and package compared to the internal combustion version. Much of this is because the Revolution is built on an all-new platform, the STLA Frame, which was designed to be electric from the ground up. It’s a body-on-frame setup with the battery mounted between the frame rails. There are two electric motors, one front and one rear. This layout allows for the Revolution’s dramatically different proportions, with the cabin extending much further forward. Ram says the overall cab is 4 inches longer than the current 1500 crew cab, but its bed is a similar length.
The overall design, in addition to having different proportions, has other features that distinguish it from internal combustion trucks. The nose is wider and the hood is flatter, moving away from the pickup-like shape of Ram trucks of a few decades ago. The fenders have sharp lines that highlight the wheel arches. Those wheel arches can accommodate tires up to 35 inches in diameter. On this concept, it has road-focused tires on 24-inch wheels. There’s also a dramatic ramp that delineates the cabin and bed. Besides the lower hood and significantly more raked windshield, other aerodynamic-inspired details include flush-mounted door handles, swivel tow hooks, side-view cameras instead of mirrors, and storage trays flat with diffuser.
The bed also has some unique features. Although the appearance gives the impression of a separate bed, it is actually connected to the cabin. This allows for a GM-style center door (electrically operated on this concept), although the sliding second row allows you to keep it in place when the center door is folded. And not only does the rear of the cabin open, but there’s also a pass-through into the trunk for particularly long and narrow objects. The power tailgate is divided into a barn door and can be opened with the gate and floor to extend the bed beyond the tail.
Which brings us to the interior of the Ram Revolution. The dashboard design reflects the lighting characteristics of the front end and it includes its own ambient lighting system. The entire interior is very minimalist and the only real control center visible is the steering wheel and center display. Yes, the central infotainment system uses two 14.2-inch screens, the lower screen of which can be expanded for more display space or even removed. The windshield can also display information thanks to an augmented reality display. The center console has similar tricks, which can be opened up for work space or removed entirely. The steering wheel can also be retracted to switch to hands-free and eyes-free autonomous driving mode. (This is a concept, remember.)
One of the biggest surprises is what Ram did with this space. While the larger cab certainly offers more space for occupants in both rows, Ram went a step further – and added a third row. There’s a set of extra seats behind the rear seats mounted to the middle door that can be deployed on those brief occasions when you have more than five people to carry.
There are many other interesting features inside. The leather is made from apple (fruit) by-products, and the floor is made from recycled rubber and cork. There is a biometric camera to recognize who is driving and can set everything up the way that person wants. The store app helps you see if you can fit the product to your truck by scanning a barcode or using a 3D scanning camera. The roof is electrified and dimmable. There’s an AI assistant on board that can respond to voice commands, and with the truck’s Dark Mode, it can follow you as you head out to the truck at slow speeds for short maneuvers. There’s even an outside projector that can provide information or show movies. And in the garage, you can have the Ram Charger robot position itself under the car to enable wireless inductive charging.
Although information such as actual power, range and more has not been revealed, Ram has provided some details about the Revolution’s mechanical components. In addition to dual engines and body-on-frame construction, the truck is also equipped with an air suspension system with self-leveling features and multiple chassis heights. Four-wheel steering would be another option. The battery system is 800 volts, capable of charging at a top rate of 350 kW. Ram says it will be able to add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Ram specifically mentions that the engine mounting space is designed to accommodate larger versions for the more capable Ram variants.
And while Ram did not share more specific details about the Revolution, we can guess a few things based on its claims about being a class leader in many areas. In terms of range, the Ram Revolution would need to top out at 400 miles to beat the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, based on those trucks’ range estimates. GM also claims a Silverado EV version that can tow up to 20,000 pounds, so that’s another mark Ram will have to hit to earn class-leading honors. In terms of payload, the Ram will have to surpass the F-150 Lightning’s 2,000 pounds. As for charging, the Ram truck and GM truck will likely be evenly matched as both support 350 kW chargers, while the Lightning has a maximum charging speed of 150 kW. Of course, with more rugged versions on the horizon for the Ram, as well as the competition, each segment-leading spec could be spread across different models.
The production version of the Ram 1500 Revolution concept will go on sale in 2024, most likely as a 2025 model. But we should see that truck this year. And we will get more specific statistics about the truck with full information. We’ll also be curious to see if Ram reveals details about the range-extended hybrid model.
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