Big batteries equal big range for Ram's all-new electric pickup truck, and that will translate to a big price tag
Today at the 2023 New York Auto Show, Ram revealed in full its all-new 2025 1500 REV to the world, signalling a renewed battle — this one electrified — between the Big Three automakers. Andrew McCredie reports from the show floor this morning; while our original report by Matthew Guy, from the vehicle’s online debut ahead of the Super Bowl in mid-February, remains unedited just below.
What is it?
The 2025 Ram 1500 REV is an all-electric zero-emissions pickup truck. The first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck from Ram Truck made its world debut April 5 at the 2023 New York International Auto Show.
Is it gas-powered, hybrid, or EV?
It’s a full EV that comes standard with a 168-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a reported range of up to 560 kilometres, and an optional 229-kilowatt-hour large battery pack with a targeted range of up to 805 kilometres. As to its charging capability, Ram reports the truck can add up to 177 kilometres of range in approximately 10 minutes via 800-volt DC fast-charging at up to 350 kW.
Performance figures include a zero-to-96 km/h time of 4.4 seconds; 654 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque; and up to 24 inches of water fording. Towing capability is pegged at 14,000 lbs, and payload goes up to 2,700 lbs. It is built on the new STLA Frame body-on-frame architecture designed specifically for full-size electric vehicles, featuring a body-on-frame design that incorporates the battery pack efficiently.
Vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging allows the the Ram 1500 REV to charge another Stellantis battery-electric vehicle, or provide power back to the grid. An on-board power panel in the bed can provide up to 7.2 kW, while an available on-board power panel in the frunk provides up to 3.6 kW.
Why does it matter?
It matters a lot, as the pickup truck segment is one of the most important in Canada, particularly for the Big Three automakers.
What are its competitors?
When will Canada get it?
As this is badged a 2025 vehicle, it will be a couple of years until the Ram 1500 REV will arrive in Canadian showrooms.
Should you buy it?
The EV pickup business is currently very strongly a sellers’ market, and no doubt Ram can’t wait to enter the fray. And with this vehicle, as least from what was presented today at the New York Auto Show, it’s got a winner on its hands.
What we know knew mid-February about the 2025 Ram 1500 BEV
Nevertheless, here are a few of the major points you need to know about the Ram 1500 REV.
Its Name
This is not as flippant a statement at it sounds. Ram announced just this week its official name for the truck is “Ram 1500 REV.” After tossing around titles like Ram “Revolution,” “BEV,” and “Big Chungus” (okay, that last one came from us) settling on something punchy – yet different than GM or Ford – that simply tacks onto a name with lots of brand recognition is probably a smart move.
Basic Powertrain Details
Ram says it can replenish 100 miles (160 km) of range in about 10 minutes thanks to its 350-kW ability to hoover up electricity, making it one of the fastest-charging vehicles – let alone truck – on the market. Will this translate to the production truck? We hope so. It is worth noting Ram made a lot of noise about the 1500 REV being built on the so-called STLA Frame architecture, which now appears to be simply the DT (existing truck) bones stuffed full of batteries.
If true, this throws cold water on the concept truck’s promise of 15-degree four-wheel steering, given existing suspension limitations, though the presence of two electric drive modules to provide all-wheel-drive are in place. However, we will note the Ram 1500 REV has eight-lug hubs, compared to six-lug hubs on the Ram 1500 gasser, so there may be more changes to its suspension than meets the eye. Again, we hope so. Could this change also have something to do with the REV’s weight? We’ll have to wait and see.
Utterly Familiar Cabin
While we knew some features on the concept truck would remain firmly in the imagination of creative designers – the wide-open Saloon Doors and sliding-track seating, for example – it is jarring to see the production version apparently lifting its cabin wholesale from the internal-combustion Ram 1500. Dashboard layout and controls will be instantly recognizable to anyone who’s stepped foot in a Ram truck over the last couple of years. It can be argued this helps ease the transition to all-electric.
Technology Upgrades
It’s not all bad news. A quick study of these interior photos shows a new touchscreen placed ahead of the passenger, a feature Stellantis offers in snazzier Jeeps. Given the similarities between this interior and that in the gasser, we expect the extra screen to eventually be offered on that truck as well.
Other features? We spy controls for air suspension (again, available on Ram 1500 ICE); settings for shoving electricity from the truck to one’s home or another EV; and some towing gear like an electronic trailer brake controller. This latter detail points to the confidence Ram may have in the 1500 REV’s ability to haul — an Achilles’ heel to this point in some other all-electric trucks. There are extra USB-A and USB-C ports below the portrait-oriented infotainment screen plus (maybe?) an HDMI port. Another graphic shows power outlets in the REV’s frunk and box.
Getting Frunky
Speaking of, it’ll surprise no one that the Ram 1500 REV has an enormous frunk similar to that found in its immediate competition. The solid panel on its ‘firewall’ side seems to confirm the lack of a pass-thru to the cabin, but there’s a chance it is just exceedingly well-hidden. There are also tie-downs and a sunken area which increases total cubic acreage. It is tough to discern what that panel on the driver’s side contains — could be the aforementioned power outlets, or perhaps some other controls.
Shadow Mode
While not mentioned in any way during the Super Bowl ad, we feel Shadow Mode is still worth a mention. This tech would permit the truck to automatically follow its driver, who may be outside the rig and walking ahead of the vehicle, which would conceivably be useful in situations where a person needs to move a short distance but doesn’t need or want to get back in the truck.
Think of times such as picking up tools at a job site, or fiddling with items at the campground. The truck would follow at a safe distance, using sensors and camera technology to navigate around obstacles. Korean automakers have incorporated this autonomous low-speed tech into the key fobs of some production vehicles, so it is not out of the question.
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