Viva Revolution! RAM reveals its electric pick-up truck

RAM has joined battle with its traditional Detroit rivals Ford and Chevrolet and new-wave EV leaders such as Tesla by revealing its electric 1500 Revolution full-size pick-up at CES.

A concept version of what will be revealed in production form within months, the Revolution will square off in North American showrooms from 2024 against the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the Rivian R1T and even the much-anticipated Tesla Cybertruck, which is nowadays being touted for a late 2023 launch.

The reveal of the Revolution focussed on the exterior and interior looks and assistance technologies rather than the fundamentals of power, torque and capabilities.

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Nor was US pricing listed, instead RAM would only promise class-leading range, towing, payload and charge time.

The good news for local electric ute fans is that RAM Trucks Australia has already expressed preliminary interest in bringing the production version of the Revolution here.

“We are aware of the recent RAM Revolution reveal and look forward to working with our colleagues in the US on future Australia product,” a RAM Trucks Australia spokesman told EVcentral.

So far none of the US full-size electric pick-ups have been confirmed for Australia, although the significant sales of ICE RAM and Chevrolet Silverado 1500s suggest there would be a sizeable market.

In terms of the underpinnings, RAM has confirmed the Revolution is based on the parent Stellantis Group’s STLA Frame architecture designed specifically for BEVs.

It features 800V DC fast charging at up to 350kW. RAM claims up to 160km of range can be added in 10 minutes. The concept is powered by front and rear electric drive modules for which RAM has yet to give power and torque figures, although it is already hinting there is plenty of performance upside to be extracted in the future.

The Revolution has all-wheel drive capability as well as four-wheel steer with up to 15 degrees of articulation.

The concept rolls on three-mode air suspension, 35-inch tyres and 24-inch wheels with centre caps that light up and stay in-place.

The dual cab concept is described by RAM as “brutiful” and as a preview of the brand’s future design language. The cabin is 100mm longer than an orthodox ICE RAM 1500 thanks to packaging efficiencies of the e-motors and new-gen safety systems.

Notable details include its animated and modernised R-A-M grille badging, suicide rear doors that eliminate the need for a B-pillar, digital side mirrors and off-road tow hooks that pivot to sit flush.

New tech the Revolution debuts includes an AI personal assistant with 3D RAM avatar, a voice-activated shadow mode that allows the vehicle to follow the owner at walking pace and an inductive robot that senses the arrival of the truck in your garage and slides underneath to start charging.

Inside the multi-configurable cabin is dubbed a “one space environment” and features claimed industry-first third row jump seats that can be set-up in the cabin or load bed. There’s also a pass-through into the cabin that allows objects up to 5480mm to be carried with the tailgate closed.

Upper and lower screens offer 28-inches of combined space. The upper screen slides on a track and the lower screen can be removed from the cabin.

The rear-view mirror includes a camera with 360-degree views, speakers, and receivers compatible with voice assistants, such as Alexa and Siri.

Other interior features include an augmented reality head up display, a flat-top and bottom steering wheel with capacitive controls and digital screens that collapses when Level 3+ autonomy is engaged and an adjustable electro-chromatic roof.