2024 RAM 1500 REV electric ute: 800km range confirmed, Australian launch hopeful

Another electric ute has entered the fray, with the 2024 RAM 1500 REV promising industry-leading driving range and towing capacity.

RAM has detailed the 1500 REV at the 2023 New York International Motor Show. It’s a battery-electric ute to rival the likes of Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Rivian’s R1T, and Tesla’s forthcoming Cybertruck – and an Australian release sounds likely.

The RAM 1500 REV features massive battery packs, the basic tier boasting 168kWh of capacity and the extended XR an absurd 229kWh. (For context, the F-150 Lightning offers 98kWh or 131kWh packs.)

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RAM is yet to validate its figures with the US EPA, so the claimed 560km and 805km driving range figures are, for now, based on its own internal testing and calculations. Still, it’s pretty impressive stuff.

The production ute carries many of the show car's features, including an imposing front end that’s set off by ‘tuning fork’ DRLs, clever 424L frunk, and typical ute proportions.

A 6350kg braked towing capacity (with optional heavy-duty hitch) is RAM’s target – impressive stuff – and you should be able to put about 1224kg in the bed. How loading up the REV will affect driving range is yet to be confirmed.

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“The all-electric Ram 1500 REV is a monumental milestone on our continued journey to offer the industry’s best electrified solutions and further fortifies our award-winning lineup,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram CEO.

“We believe in bringing the right range of powertrain solutions to our customers and will continue to redefine the pickup truck segment. Our all-new Ram 1500 REV pushes past the competition in areas customers care about most, including range, towing, payload, and charge time.”

4X4 Australia understands that a local release of the 1500 REV is a strong possibility, though details are yet to be confirmed.

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Charging, power and performance

If range and towing figures don’t impress you, then RAM’s STLA Frame’s 800-volt architecture may. Like Hyundai/Kia’s E-EMGP architecture, STLA accommodates DC charging at 350kW, adding up to 180km driving range in 10 minutes.

There are two power boards, one in the tub (7.2kW) and one in the ‘frunk’ (3.6kW) that can be used for vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid, or vehicle-to-load functions.

RAM hasn't released details on the 1500 REV’s weight, but with a Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum coming in over 3000kg, you can expect the RAM to be heavier with its even bigger battery pack.

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That makes its 0-60mph (0-98km/h) time of 4.4 seconds impressive. The 1500 REV has two separate 250kW electric motors, which produce a combined 488kW and 841Nm.

The front motor can freewheel on the highway to lower consumption, and the rear motor assembly incorporates an electronically-locking differential to improve off-road ability. RAM claims a 600mm wading depth.

As far as ladder-frame vehicles go, the REV is fairly advanced with multi-link independent rear suspension and four-corner active air suspension with adaptive dampers that should help the big ute ride well, even on the Tungsten’s 22-inch alloys.

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Standard features

Inside, the RAM 1500 REV promises to be more than a work truck, with a new flagship Tungsten trim, for five variants total. Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited sit below.

At the centre of proceedings is a 14.5-inch touchscreen running Stellantis’s Uconnect 5 software, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, digital rear-view mirror, head-up display, and an optional 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen (just like in the Grand Cherokee L).

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The plush Tungsten will feature a 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system that incorporates a 12-inch subwoofer.

RAM has not confirmed final details for the 1500 REV, including pricing, but given its battery size and level of luxury, expect it to cost a pretty penny. By the time a top-spec Tungsten arrives in Australia, a price tag approaching $200K wouldn’t be unrealistic.

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