Ram's Future is (Finally) Electric!

Trailing behind other truck manufacturers, Ram has finally revealed its all-electric pickup truck. Dubbed the Ram 1500 Revolution, as its name suggests, the electric powertrain will be revolutionary for Ram and will introduce an array of new technology and design approaches. A concept version of the Ram Revolution was revealed at CES 2023, slated for production in 2024. 

A Futuristic Design: 

The Ram 1500 Revolution represents a significant advancement in Ram's truck design, sporting an exquisite, hourglass-shaped design and a grille-free, LED-adorned front end. In the back, a split-opening tailgate offers tremendous versatility. It also features futuristic characteristics such as an ambient-lit glass roof, massive digital displays, temperature-regulated compartments for supplies, and a removable Bluetooth speaker. 

Performance, Range, and Robotic Charging: 

Although they remain hush-hush about specifics like range or battery capacity, Ram has stated that their truck will include a dual-motor powertrain enabling all-wheel drive. Additionally, information about the Ram Charger, a robotic charging system modeled after Tesla, has been made public. This type of charging system would automatically start charging your vehicle as soon as you pull into your garage at home.

Size is Not an Issue: 

The Ram 1500 Revolution can carry objects that are 18 feet long. Similar to other EVs that create useful space where an engine would typically go, the truck also sports a frunk (front trunk) and a mid-gate: a movable division between the cab and bed. Folding panels that are integrated into the front firewall and mid-gate may be lowered to form an 18-foot passage that runs from the inside of the frunk to the barn-door tailgate.

Semi-Autonomous Driving Capabilities: 

The Ram Revolution has advanced Level 3+ semi-autonomous driving capabilities. A vehicle with Level 3 driving capabilities, also known as Conditional Driving Automation, is able to make decisions based on its environment, such as accelerating past a slow-moving car. However, it still requires human override should the system be unable to execute a task. 

Two or Three Rows of Seats, the Choice is Yours: 

A three-row crew cab truck is something that has not yet been seen in the industry, but Ram may have found a solution. When the coach doors are opened the spacious cabin of the Revolution only appears to have two rows of seats, however, those seats are mounted on rails and can slide several feet forward or back. Moving them forward will reveal two small jump seats that are built into the mid-gate. 

Technology Galore: 

An abundance of screens on the truck's interior only adds to its futuristic look and feel. At the center is 28 inches worth of touchscreens, the lower portion of which can tilt for different viewing angles, or be removed entirely to support rear-seat entertainment. There's also a large head-up display, and another touchscreen positioned in the headliner. A digital rearview mirror is located below it, and the side mirrors are even partially digital.

Even better, this truck has projectors built right into the body that provide a variety of outdoor visual communications and the ability to project videos pretty much everywhere you can drive up to. Another useful feature is an augmented reality mobile app that allows you to control your Smart Home from your truck as well as scan objects and get instructions on how to best fit them into the truck. 

Introducing Shadow Mode: 

Many Vehicles on the market right now have a Smart Park feature that allows a vehicle to pull into or out of a parking space without anyone at the wheel, but Ram's new "Shadow Mode" takes things a step further. Shadow Mode allows the 1500 Revolution to autonomously follow the driver as they walk ahead of the truck. Voice-activated, this feature uses an onboard camera and sensors to maintain a safe distance from whoever's in the lead. Ram positions this feature as useful for finding a parking spot or when you need to gather tools at a job site, but it could also prove quite handy for getting the truck through tricky off-road situations. 

Towing and Hauling Expectations: 

When it comes to towing with an Electric truck, there are obvious benefits but there are also disadvantages. On the upside, moving heavy loads is easy due to its ample, rapid torque. The downside is that carrying or hauling loads weighing thousands of pounds can significantly reduce driving range. These are simply physics-based outcomes, yet drivers who rely on their trucks to function are concerned about them nevertheless. The Ram 1500 Revolution won't be any different, but Ram integrated certain active aerodynamics techniques, such as enclosed underbody panels in order to squeeze every last bit of range out of the battery in its electric truck.

To Summarize... 

• The Ram Revolution concept features a slick, aerodynamic design and stretches longer than the gas-powered 1500, with an extra four inches added to the cabin.
• Boasts 24-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tires, riding on air suspension with three adjustable levels.
• Has Illuminated badges and light-up center wheel caps that remain stable as the wheels spin
• Multi-function tailgate, can fold down or split in two to open like barn doors
• AWD capability thanks to electric motors mounted on the front and rear axles
• Level 3 Autonomous driving, which stashes the steering wheel in the dashboard and uses lights, vibration, and sensors to keep the driver attentive to what's happening on the road around them. 
• Shadow Mode Function where the truck will follow the driver as they walk ahead of the vehicle for a short distance
• The cabin features snazzy orange ambient lighting, 28 inches worth of touchscreens, and an octagonal steering wheel
• The lower middle screen can be removed and used as a tablet 
• The Cabin Rail System allows for customizable seating arrangements
• The Centre Console is removable and the armrest can be converted into a desk
• The Revolution gives a driver the ability to manage a Smart Home from the truck and there is also an available phone app to measure objects and determine how to best transport them