After Ford brought in the F-150 Lightning and Chevy announced the electric Silverado, the only one remaining was Ram. Now, the Stellantis brand has also officially confirmed a battery-electric 1500 truck to take the three-way war to electrifying levels. The auto group celebrated an EV Day, wherein three of its brands – Dodge, Jeep, and Ram – had some big announcements. While Dodge stole the limelight with its Muscle EV news, Jeep and Ram tried to hog some attention with the Grand Cherokee 4xe and the 1500 BEV.
The Ram 1500 BEV is a long time away, with production slated to begin in 2024. But, it is still good news, and the automaker will hope to replicate its recent truck success in the EV arena, too.
What Do We Know About The Ram 1500 BEV?
Ram didn’t reveal any specific details about the truck as it was more of an official announcement about its entry into the EV segment. A silhouette, however, was showcased. The truck doesn't look as boxy as the current models and has a fluid design. The Ford F-150 Lightning was showcased as a truck that looked largely similar to the standard F-150 in terms of body design, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here. The flowy, curvy design points at an aero-efficient bodywork. There could be more aero elements all around.
Up front, the LED headlights are integrated with an LED strip. An illuminated RAM logo can also be seen on the grille. This is merely a rendering, and, in all likelihood, is the concept truck.
When Will The Ram 1500 BEV Arrive?
The production of the 1500 BEV will begin in 2024, so it is safe to assume that the customer deliveries are at least four years away.
With a myriad of trucks out by then, it seems like Ram will be late to the party. Ford has come up with its electric truck already and brands like GMC, Tesla, and Rivian will have their respective trucks up and running by the time Ram 1500 BEV arrives. Chevrolet hasn’t announced the arrival date of its electric Silverado, but it could come around the same time as the Ram EV.
Ram mentioned that it plans to offer a fully electric model for almost every product in its portfolio by 2025, and a full electric portfolio by 2030.
How Can Ram Stand Out?
Ram’s CEO, Mike Koval, stressed the importance of towing and payload. With the ever-evolving battery technology, range will most probably not be an issue by 2025. But, towing and hauling capabilities could be the Achilles’ Heel for most truckmakers. If the 1500 BEV happens to be the last entrant to the segment, then this is one thing that could save it.
Ram mentioned a few other things that we can expect from its EVs in general, not limited to the 1500 BEV specifically. These are supposedly the customer concerns that Ram will address. It includes:
-* Fast Charging up to 150 kW
-* Dynamic Range Mapping
-* Charge Station Locator
-* EV Dynamic Trip Energy Prediction
-* Smartphone Controls
-* Smart Charging/Vehicle Preconditioning
-* Drive Modes
Conclusion
Stellantis had quite an eventful day as it announced new EVs from many of its brands. It announced a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe that could follow the footsteps of the Wrangler 4xe. There was also the bold announcement of electrifying the muscle cars niche through Dodge, with the first Dodge EV coming in 2024. The auto group will be investing €30 billion across brands, so expect more such news to follow in due time.
Which newly-announced Stellantis EV are you most looking forward to – the Ram 1500 BEV, the Grand Cherokee 4xe, or the Dodge Muscle EV? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.