Ram unveiled its 1500 Revolution BEV Concept electric pickup truck at CES 2023. This unveiling means Ram has officially entered the EV tailgate wars against Ford and General Motors. In addition, the Ram Revolution concept serves as a preview of what to expect in the electric Ram 1500 production model when it debuts in 2024.
At first glance, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept styling captures the dare-we-say cyber look of a 21st-century electric pickup truck. Its long wheelbase features a swept-back windshield and extended cabin. The front end is blacked-out with an illuminated RAM emblem piercing through the darkness with a heavy-duty bash plate and tow hooks integrated into the front bumper.
Other exterior design highlights include flushed door handles, side steps, and 3D-printed cameras instead of traditional side view mirrors. In addition, the concept truck’s tailgate can be opened outwards like barn doors to extend the trunk bed further. It sits on 35-inch tires wrapped around massive 24-inch wheels with illuminating center caps that stay in place – like a Rolls-Royce.
Inside, the Ram 1500 Revolution cabin is four inches longer than the current production pickup truck. Moreover, entering the truck means opening its luxurious coach doors, allowing for a pillar-less entry and creating a wide-open space. However, the highlight feature is the Ram Track, which allows the lightweight seats to be reconfigured to maximize efficiency.
Seatbelts, grab handles, and speakers are integrated into each seat, allowing them to be removed from the cabin or folded down. In addition to having two rows of seating, the Ram 1500 Revolution offers third row jump seats that can be mounted to the trunk bed. Other interior features include a removable center console, an armrest that doubles as a work desk, and a total of 28 inches of touchscreen surface. Ram also claims the steering wheel can retract into the dashboard during Level 3 autonomous driving.
Speaking of autonomy, the 1500 Revolution Shadow Mode allows the truck to follow the driver while they walk on foot – like a loyal dog. It may sound gimmicky, but Ram claims it’s intended to offer convenience on the job site. Moreover, there is an opening that starts in the frunk, through the center of the cabin, and out to the truck bed, allowing for the transport of materials like lumber and PVC piping measuring 18 feet long.
Ram reports that this BEV concept truck is built on the body-on-frame STLA Frame EV platform, which features an electric motor on each axle with all-wheel drive. In addition, Ram says the electric truck can charge up to 100 miles of range in an estimated 10 minutes using an 800-volt DC fast charging up to 350 kW.
Odds are some of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept features will not make it to the final production model, but most of what we see has real possibilities of ending up at your local Ram truck dealer in 2024.
For more automotive news, see the new Afeela Concept Car from Sony-Honda Mobility.