RAM Revolution, Electric Pick-up In Direct Competition With Tesla Cybertruck By 2024

After some unexpected delays, RAM announced the official name of its first electric truck: "RAM Revolution", basically in the same segment and in direct competition with Tesla's Cybertruck.

After a discreet announcement earlier this year, RAM's first electric pick-up now has an official name: RAM Revolution, a version that will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand. There is not much information available right now, although what is known makes it clear that the segment of electric trucks is on its way to becoming a very popular niche in the United States.

While the rest of the world is frantically seeking to electrify conventional fleets with SUVs or compact models, in the USA everything is seen differently: in 2019, the announcement of the Tesla Cybertruck shook the very foundations of the largest market in the country. This market is apparently set to unite two concepts (electrification and pick-up trucks) that "prima face" should not work, and hence every few months the launch of a new model is announced.

Although many different models have been announced, in fact very few are actually present in the market. The only one currently available is the Rivian R1T; the Ford F-150 Lightning will soon be added, and later on the Chevrolet Silverado EV and this RAM Revolution are set to be available. The deadlines are not tight, because in some cases we are talking about waiting times of more than two years, as is currently the case with the RAM Revolution (by 2024). Although the company has just published the name, its availability will be a totally different thing.

The RAM Revolution will be developed from the latest evolution of the RAM 1500, which has a launch date set for 2023. The electric model will arrive even later, delaying its launch until 2024. Two long years of waiting where the market will add a plethora of rivals, which again will make the commercial deployment much more complicated; and yet that is considering the program does not suffer any delay - given the current chip crisis that plagues the industry - something that of course they do not want to experience.

The first picture teasers and info provided by RAM leave much to the imagination, and it is very possible that the RAM Revolution does not even use the same chassis, making use of a platform from the Stellantis Group called STLA Frame. It is speculated it will feature huge batteries, ranging from 160 to 200 kWh of capacity, which could very well provide up to 500 miles of range. In this type of vehicle the figures not only focus on the electrical part of the equation, but also on the actual work capacity.

As a reference, the Tesla Cybertruck (to be available in 2023) is an all-electric, battery-powered, light-duty truck announced by Tesla in November 2019. Three models have been announced, with EPA range estimates of 400 - 800 kilometers (250 - 500 mi) and an estimated 0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) time of 2.9 - 6.5 seconds, depending on the model. It is built with an exterior shell made for durability and passenger protection; starting with a tough exoskeleton, every component was designed by Tesla for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass. Tesla says about the Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel, “... if there was something better, we’d use it. Help eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion with a smooth monochrome exoskeleton that puts the shell on the outside of the car and provides you and your passengers maximum protection.”

The Cybertruck’s solar tonneau is by all means another key feature for many reservation holders, given the fact that it would give the possibility of semi-total independence from the grid and charging stations; obviously depending on the number of miles a day driven. With 15 miles of added solar range, and with the option of adding another 25 miles (totaling 40 miles on 100% solar a day) by adding extra foldable solar wings, the feature is certainly attractive.

Going back to the RAM Revolution, more than 1,000 hp of pure electric power must be added to its 500 miles of range, as it is currently being rumored on social media. A set of high performance features where different versions are contemplated depending on the tastes and needs of each client: from more every-day type, hard-working models to more sporty units, even capable of shaming the almighty RAM TRX. During the coming months (and years...) we will learn more details, as there is still a long, long way to go.

You can find more information about the Ram Revolution on this article by Mary Conway -TorqueNews.

All images courtesy of Tesla Inc.

Nico Caballero is the VP of Finance of Cogency Power, specializing in solar energy. He also holds a Diploma in Electric Cars from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and enjoys doing research about Tesla and EV batteries. He can be reached at @NicoTorqueNews on Twitter. Nico covers Tesla and electric vehicle latest happenings at Torque News.