- The electric Ram REV will look a lot like the production 1500
- The Ram 1500 REV will have independent rear suspension
- The Ram 1500 REV will have a gasoline-powered range extender
We finally saw the production version of Ram’s 1500 REV electric pickup truck in a Super Bowl spot on Sunday, February 12th. Even though Stellantis didn’t list any Ram EV specs in the ad, there are a few aspects of the Ram 1500 REV we now know for sure. And we already like what we see.
The electric Ram REV will look a lot like the production 1500
2024 Ram 1500 REV | Stellantis
Ram teased a dramatic new electric concept truck in early 2023: the “Revolution.” It had rear-hinged rear doors, third-row jump seats, and a unique midgate allowing you to combine cab and bed storage space into one huge (18-foot) loading floor.
Then Ram dropped a light-hearted Super Bowl spot with couples discussing the embarrassing downsides of “Premature Electrification” and current EVs letting them down. The TV spot also showed the production version of the 2024 Ram 1500 “REV.” And the new truck looks an awful lot like the current Ram.
This certainly feels like a frustrating bait-and-switch. But this more mundane Ram 1500 design is a blessing in disguise.
One major benefit of this body style–which is likely shared with the next-generation internal combustion Ram–is that many aftermarket products will work on the Ram REV. Accessories such as light bars, camper caps, and perhaps even lift kits designed for the Ram 1500 will work on future trucks with both EV and ICE power trains. This means that Ram EV owners will have many more ways to customize.
We might also see more Ram owners go electric if they don’t have to buy some dramatic cybertruck-looking pickup to do it. Going electric need not be about rubbing the technology in others’ faces.
Finally, you know the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, the current Ram 1500, one of the best-looking trucks on the market, certainly ain’t broke. That swoon-worthy Ram Revolution may live on as a special edition, such as the next TRX supertruck.
The Ram 1500 REV will have independent rear suspension
Ram 1500 Revolution concept | Stellantis
I can hear you saying, “Where in the goofy ‘premature electrification’ TV spot did it say that.” The truth is it didn’t.
Ram fans have long wondered if the new Jeep Wagoner’s independent rear suspension technology will make it into the next generation of Ram pickup truck. In truth, Ram gave us a glimpse at the schematics of its new electric chassis at Stellantis’ EV days press event. The rendering clearly showed a truck with independent rear suspension.
After the SuperBowl spot, we know how much the next-gen Ram and electric REV will have in common. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that the internal combustion sixth-gen Ram 1500 will also have the Wagoneer’s independent rear suspension.
The Wagoneer is proof that the engineers finally have independent rear suspension ready for truck applications. The new full-size Jeep has the highest tow rating of any SUV: 10,000 pounds.
The Ram 1500 REV will have a gasoline-powered range extender
2024 Ram 1500 REV | Stellantis
OK, this tidbit was definitely not in the Super Bowl spot. But the commercial did lean heavily on range anxiety being a symptom of buying an EV before the technology is mature. Premature Electrification, get it yet?
The ad also teased new technologies Ram is pursuing to address this truck owner concern.
At Stellantis’ EV day, Ram claimed that it is using cutting-edge solid-state battery technology to target a 500-mile range—for the second generation of its electric truck. So what about the first generation?
Ram also teased a “Range Electric Paradigm Breaker” technology. Since then, the Ram brand CEO Mike Koval Jr. has confirmed that they are indeed working on a range extender. This is essentially a gasoline-powered generator that can keep the truck’s batteries charged and extend its range indefinitely—as long as you keep fueling it up.
Why would you use internal combustion to drive an electric motor? Well, the gas engine can spin along at optimal RPM, perhaps getting double the mpg of a straight gas truck. You also have an incredible amount of electric torque from zero RPM, making it a formidable layout while trailering or off-road. This is why every diesel locomotive already uses this generator-to-electric-motor configuration. That’s right, the new Ram EV will go like a locomotive!
Next, find out whether the electric Ram will be more powerful than the Rivian pickup or watch the Ram “Premature Electrification” SuperBowl spot in the video below:
You can also see TFL Truck’s discussion of the Ram 1500 REV in this final video:
Keyword: 3 Great Things About The 2024 Ram REV Electric Pickup Truck