2023 RAM Revolution Electric concept will spawn F-150 Lightning rival

RAM has officially entered the EV pick-up truck race by unveiling its RAM Revolution 1500 EV concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

It sees RAM become the latest major US-based ute manufacturer to offer a vision of the future in light commercial vehicles.

When the concept goes into production, it will go into battle against the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado RST and Rivian R1T – and Tesla’s Cybetruck when it finally becomes reality.

The Revolution is also running late after missing its expected debut in November, with the production version likely for a mid-2024 release. It will be the second electric RAM to launch after the RAM ProMaster van which is expected some time in 2023.

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Now we’ve seen the RAM 1500 electric in full – if only in pictures – it takes classic truck design and pushes the limits. With dramatically flared arches and intricate lighting details, including LED lit-up RAM logo and 'tuning fork' DRLs up front.

In profile the Revolution concept is one of the sleekest looking utes out there, with its contrast black roof shedding visual height and smooth, organic lines defining a new era of 'truck'.

“The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is our clearest signal yet that we’re on the precipice of something extraordinary at Ram and points directly to where we’re going on our electrified journey,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO Stellantis.

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RAM Revolution EV: range, charging, platform

The Revolution is based on the brand’s forthcoming STLA (pronounced “Stella”) Frame platform, the top of the Stellantis battery-electric platform hierarchy. The other three are, predictably, known as small, medium and large.

According to Stellantis’s 2021 announcement of the STLA architecture, the Frame versions should have whopping 160kWh-200kWh batteries. There was no range promise at the release of RAM's Revolution concept though, so details are unconfirmed.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares did, however, promise a minimum 500km range for all Frame-based vehicles.

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With 350kW DC ultra-rapid charging speeds confirmed in August 2022, the production RAM 1500 EV will out-charge the 150kW Ford F-150 Lightning. It can add 160km of range in 10 minutes.

Using those figures, we can ascertain that the RAM Revolution EV's expected efficiency will be around 22-24kWh/100km, so to get 500km of range reliably a 90kWh-plus battery will be necessary

Other details include a four-wheel-steering system that allows the Revolution concept's rear wheels up to 15 degrees of articulation for tighter turning.

RAM did not claim power outputs, only saying it would be "the most powerful RAM ever", which we can take to mean it'll have in excess of the 532kW/882Nm extracted from the RAM 1500 TRX.

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Inside the RAM Revolution EV

In typical concept car fashion, the RAM Revolution's cabin is pretty out there, with bespoke seats and full glass roof that probably won't make production without some tweaks.

But there are some features such as the airy, sparse centre console with generous 28-inches of infotainment touchscreen, huge head-up display with augmented reality navigation, ultra-compact wing mirrors and intricate ambient lighting that will.

RAM has built in cabin flexibility with sliding rails that allow the seats to be moved around. With such a spacious cabin thanks to the electric underpinnings, and no need for a V8, RAM has even managed to stuff a third row of 'jump seats' into the equation that can be fitted as-needed.

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With the electric pass-through open, objects up to 5.5-metres in length (18ft) can be stored in the Revolution concept. There's even a 'frunk' under the bonnet where you'd normally find a Hemi V8.

Materials are, unsurprisingly, sustainably sourced with recycled rubber used in the floor mates, and plastic container for other fabrics.

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Australian plans

RAM currently sells locally right-hand drive converted 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks in Australia via Ateco as an alternative to the typical one-tonne ute.

There are no plans yet to introduce the 1500 EV to Australia, but as the electric ute market begins to heat up following the launch of LDV's eT60 Down Under and consideration of F-150 Lightning, it's worth watching this space.