Update: ‘Price & Release Date,’ and ‘Specifications’ sections updated; title revised.
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 former CEO Mike Koval Jr. proudly called it, plans to launch its first electric truck next year. 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.
The Ram 1500 REV isn’t a model designed as an electric vehicle from the outset. Instead, it’s a modified version of the combustion-engine Ram 1500, retaining much of the familiar shape and proportions. However, there are some design changes, mostly concentrated at the front.
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.
Side & Rear
On the sides, the 1500 REV 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!
Interior
Several 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.
Controls
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.
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.
Touchscreen
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.
Instrument cluster
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.
Passenger display
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.
Platform & Capability
STLA Frame
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.
Class-leading towing & payload
The Ram 1500 REV can tow up to 14,000 lbs. and carry a payload of up to 2,625 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 Ford F-150 Lightning can haul 2,235 pounds, while the 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 should 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!
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!
| Ram 1500 Electric aspect | Specification |
| Range (Battery size) | 350 miles (168 kWh) & 500 miles (229 kWh) |
| Towing | Up to 14,000 lbs. |
| Payload | 2,625 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 |
Price & Release Date
The Ram 1500 REV should start at around USD 55,000, with the range-topping model likely to touch USD 95,000. The line-up will include five trims: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited, and Tungsten.
The 1500 REV is set to arrive at dealerships in early 2025, according to Ram CEO Christine Feuell, as reported by Automotive News on September 15, 2024. It will be followed by the electrified 1500 Ramcharger, which features a range extender for buyers who aren’t yet prepared to switch to a fully-electric truck.
The 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.
Ram 1500 REV FAQs
What is the Ram 1500 REV’s release date?
The electric pickup truck will start reaching dealers next year.
What will be the Ram 1500 REV’s price?
The base Ram 1500 REV Tradesman could cost around USD 55,000.
Which models will be Ram 1500 REV rivals?
Featured Image: 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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