Ram 1500 REV: the new electric pick-up with a giant 229 kWh battery

The new Ram 1500 REV is a fully electric pick-up that marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ram Trucks. It is being unveiled at the New York International Auto Show and will go on sale in the - American - market during the final quarter of this year.

Ram therefore joins Ford, already selling the F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet - whose Silverado EV is due to arrive this year - and, on a smaller scale, Rivian, which offers the R1T, in the fully electric pick-up market. And, naturally, there is also the radical Tesla Cybertruck.

Giant battery for the Ram 1500 EV

It stands apart from its competitors with one heavyweight advantage: a huge 229 kWh battery, making the Ram 1500 EV the electric vehicle with the world’s largest battery - although its battery weight is suspected to place it outside the light-vehicle category.

It exceeds the GMC Hummer EV’s 212 kWh and the Chevrolet Silverado EV’s planned 200 kWh, while sitting far ahead of the 131 kWh largest battery available for the Ford F-150 Lightning.

Naturally, those 229 kWh should result in substantial range, with Ram claiming more than 800 km - considerably more than any rival. For buyers who do not require such an extensive range, the 1500 REV will also be offered with a smaller 168 kWh battery, which Ram says is sufficient for more than 560 km.

It also features bidirectional charging, enabling it to power a home during an outage or supply a mobile workplace. The charger in the load bed provides 7.2 kW of power. However, the frunk - a 424-litre front boot - also houses another charger rated at 3.6 kW.

“We believe in giving our customers the right range of propulsion solutions and will continue to redefine the truck segment. Our new Ram 1500 REV outperforms the competition in the areas customers care about most, including range, towing capacity, payload and charging time.”

Mike Koval Jr., Ram chief executive officer

Giant battery, without sacrificing performance

The Ram 1500 REV’s high-capacity electrical system supplies two EDMs - Electric Drive Modules, each combining an electric motor, single-speed gearbox and inverter. With one module fitted to each axle, it delivers four-wheel drive. Each unit produces 250 kW (340 hp).

Total system output reaches 488 kW (663 hp) and 840 Nm of torque, allowing the pick-up to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds.

For a pick-up, though, load-carrying ability is surely more relevant than sports-car acceleration. The 1500 REV has a payload capacity of 1224 kg, while its stated towing capability is 6350 kg. Both figures surpass those of its main competitor, the F-150 Lightning.

This is not the cabin of a working vehicle

The cabin of RAM’s new fully electric offering includes every comfort likely to appeal even to the most demanding buyers. It is difficult to regard it as the interior of a working vehicle; it is closer in character to that of an executive saloon.

Alongside materials such as carbon fibre, leather and various metal trim elements, it features the latest generation of the Uconnect 5 infotainment system and a Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system.

Will it come to Europe?

If you are wondering whether the new Ram 1500 REV will reach Europe, the answer is no. Like its principal rival, the Ford F-150 Lightning, it is intended solely for North American markets.

For reference, Ram’s first electric pick-up comes in five trim levels, all bearing names worthy of the United States: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited and Tungsten, the latter being entirely new.