Five things to know about the RAM 1500 Revolution electric truck concept unveiled at CES

• New RAM 1500 Revolution will feature 800-volt architecture

• Advanced features include Shadow Mode, Robot induction charging, and advanced voice commands

• Will offer third-row jumpseat

The full-size pickup truck segment is embracing electrification and after seeing multiple electric pickups unveiled in 2022, CES 2023 gave us our first complete look at the upcoming RAM 1500 Revolution electric truck. Granted, the model unveiled in Las Vegas today is officially a concept. Still, it previews some impressive technology the production model will likely offer while the styling will closely resemble the final product. We also learned about the electric architecture of the upcoming Ram EV truck as well is its charging capability.

The RAM 1500 Revolution will officially be a 2024 model when the production version is unveiled later this year. For now, let’s take a look at five things to know about the RAM 1500 Revolution.

Advanced charging capability

The new RAM 1500 Revolution BEV concept features an 800-volt architecture which enables fast charging at up to 350 kW. This structure is just as capable as what we have seen on recent GM electric trucks like the Silverado EV, Sierra EV, and GMC Hummer EV.

RAM says it will be possible to add up to 100 miles (160 kilometres) of range in approximately 10 minutes. Moreover, the RAM 1500 Revolution BEV concept is looking to advance the way owners charge their electric vehicles. Alongside the electric truck concept, Stellantis introduced a new inductive robot charger called the RAM Charger.

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The RAM charger is essentially a mobile induction charging system which can detect an electric vehicle’s location and its charging needs before moving into position under the vehicle to begin charging the battery through induction. It will also be possible to charge outside of peak hours in order to improve costs. The idea is that the RAM Charger will be sitting in your garage, and when you drive in for the night it will detect how much charge you have and will then move into position to bring the battery back to the level needed for the next day.

Built on the Stellantis STLA Frame platform, the RAM 1500 Revolution BEV features a traditional body-on-frame design with a battery built-in. RAM didn’t provide any details on the range or the size of the battery, but given the platform on which the concept is based, we would expect the new RAM electric truck to match up well with its Chevy and GMC counterparts. Around 500 km of range will likely be possible.

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Luxurious interior

Current RAM 1500 trucks are known for their modern and downright luxurious interiors, at least in the high-end trims. This trend will continue in the electric RAM 1500 which will feature a large touchscreen display built using two screens that combine to offer up to 28 inches of screen surface. Each screen handles different functions and it will be possible to move each one around. The top screen can slide across the dashboard on what the company calls the RAM rail attachment system while the lower display is portable.

The RAM 1500 Revolution will also feature an advanced rearview mirror that provides a backup camera with 360° views, and speakers built in. The camera has the ability to combine images taken from other cameras around the truck to provide an all-around view of the environment through the rearview mirror. RAM says there will also be digital side-view mirrors with augmented reality heads-up display systems.

Sustainable materials were used throughout the cabin including “Apple” leather which is built from apple byproducts and is animal free. The “Greyslate Nanostone” veneer is also eco-friendly. Recycled rubber and core particles make up the textured floor.

Advanced driver assistance technologies

Along with the impressive technology that enables better connectivity and better visibility described above, the RAM 1500 Revolution BEV concept also features a range of driver assistance features starting with the Vehicle Personal Assistant. This assistant is represented by a 3D RAM avatar which acts as the “vehicle’s face” according to RAM. The avatar will react to various voice commands and it will be even possible to control different functions from outside the vehicle. Users can close the windows or play music using voice commands inside or out of the vehicle among multiple other features.

There is also the impressive new Shadow Mode which is essentially a follow-me feature. Once activated, the RAM 1500 Revolution will follow the owner, obviously at a very slow pace, and can be used to bring the truck to a location without having to get back inside. RAM says the feature will be most useful on job sites where the user might be moving around from spot to spot and doesn’t necessarily want to get back into their vehicle to move it a few feet ahead.

The RAM 1500 Revolution will also feature an intelligent trip planning system which helps the owner plan their trips for better efficiency and different cabin modes to create different experiences onboard. Social mode, Party mode, and Relax mode are a few examples with each mode adjusting interior lighting, window and skylight opacity, the vehicle’s suspension, the display on the touchscreens, and the seat positioning.

An exterior projector to watch movies, a smart home control system that allows the user to control various features of their smart home through the RAM 1500 EV and Level 3 autonomous driving capability are all on the menu as well.

A third-row jumpseat

Versatility will be a significant part of the RAM 1500 Revolution’s offering. The electric truck is built as a one-space environment according to RAM which promises a range of different interior configuration options. It will be for example possible to fit objects measuring up to 18 feet in length by running them through a gas-powered mid-gate and an interior pass-through that goes all the way into the front trunk.

The centre console armrest can be converted into a workstation and multiple seating configurations are made possible by lightweight seats that feature integrated seatbelts. The lack of a B pillar means that entry and exit will be a lot easier, and the new RAM 1500 Revolution will feature not just a second row, but a third-row jumpseat as well. This seat is built into the mid-gate.

Four-wheel steering and all-wheel drive capability

The RAM 1500 Revolution will feature all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering with the rear wheels rotating up to 15 degrees to enhance agility in small or tight spaces. Moreover, an advanced air suspension system will offer three different modes for off-road, ingress and egress, and aero for enhanced efficiency. The RAM electric truck will also feature underbody aero panels and an active diffuser.

No word on horsepower or torque figures, or towing capability. Those will likely come later.

The new RAM 1500 Revolution concept gives us a clear glimpse of the technology we can expect to see on the next Ram EV truck. More importantly, it confirms that a lot of thought has been put into differentiating this next generation of RAM 1500 pickups from their current traditional gas-powered counterparts. We will need to wait to know more about the performance and the towing capability as well as the range, but so far when it comes to technology and versatility, the RAM 1500 electric truck is well on its way to becoming a benchmark in the fast-paced and constantly-evolving electric truck segment.