Ram Trucks Teases Premature Electrification

Ram Trucks is joining in the Super Bowl commercial fun with a humorous spot that ridicules electric pickup truck owners. The ad casts doubt on electrics while showcasing Ram 1500 REV's range-extending features.

Ram Truck brand created "Premature Electrification" with Chicago-based agency Highdive and award-winning director Ric Cantor in collaboration. It also includes a new version of Marcia Griffiths' 1983 hit song "Electric Boogie".

The Ram 1500 REV

The Ram 1500 REV may look almost identical to a regular pickup from the outside, and it would be hard to tell that it's electric from a few feet away. Last month, Stellantis, Ram's parent company, unveiled an eye-catching concept truck designed to showcase an upcoming electric pickup.

In a Super Bowl advertisement, the first production 1500 REV has been previewed. Unfortunately, it appears to be more like its gas-powered predecessor than anything else; expected to launch in late 2024, this model appears to be almost exact replica of its gas-powered sibling.

However, the REV does boast some unique features that set it apart from its peers. For instance, it supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, allowing it to add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes!

As for battery size, the Ram 1500 REV can hold up to 200 kWh of energy - enough for a driving range of at least 500 miles. This distance exceeds that of even the top F-150 Lightning model and far surpasses even that of Chevy Silverado EV.

In addition, the REV will come equipped with a range extender powered by gasoline engine - setting it apart from its competitors in the electric truck market. It also boasts various features like dynamic range mapping, charge station locator, EV dynamic trip energy prediction, smartphone controls and smart charging and vehicle preconditioning technology.

Finally, the REV will be offered with a range of trim levels to suit most buyers' requirements - from work/fleet focused Tradesmen model up through feature-packed Longhorn and Limited Premium models and top-of-the-line TRX performance trim. Furthermore, it may come equipped with an extensive array of advanced driver assistance technologies as well.

Ram has opened reservations for the REV on their website, with an initial deposit of $100. Reservation holders become members of a Rev Insider+ program and gain access to news, events and updates about the REV as well as having the chance to reserve one before its scheduled 2024 release date.

The Future of Electrification

The electric truck segment is on the rise, led by Tesla's Cybertruck and Ford and General Motors both having battery-electric pickups in development. Ram hasn't been a major player until now but now they are taking an opportunity on electrification by introducing their first electric truck.

At CES 2023 in January, parent automaker Stellantis unveiled its Ram 1500 Revolution Battery Electric Vehicle Concept. This concept utilizes an upgraded STLA frame platform specifically designed for full-sized electric vehicles; shifting the cabin forward by four inches and increasing its length create more room inside.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares recently discussed their company's long-term plan to electrify all of their vehicles, including heavy duty trucks and vans. To achieve this goal, they're working with Symbio - a French company - on hydrogen fuel cell solutions for large sized vehicles.

Ram's electric truck takes a different approach than rivals like Rivian and GMC, who rely solely on battery power. Instead, it combines battery energy with an internal combustion range extender to reduce range anxiety.

Though this approach may appear cautious to some, it's actually a smart one since it will position the Ram 1500 REV to compete with other battery-powered trucks such as Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck when they debut in late-2024. By taking an early lead over its rivals, Ram 1500 REV can focus on improving its range, payload capacity and max towing numbers to unprecedented heights.

According to the commercial, the Ram 1500 REV will outperform all competitors on range, payload and charge time when it goes on sale in 2024. These features are highly valued by customers and it's expected that this will help convince even skeptics who may otherwise hesitate to purchase an electric truck.

At CES 2023, Ram has unveiled an inductive robot charger to match its new ad campaign. This charger can detect when a Ram 1500 REV passes by and automatically moves into position under it to begin charging - making charging your electric vehicles at home even simpler for Ram customers.

The New Ram 1500 REV Commercial

Ram, part of Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), is using the Super Bowl to debut their production-ready electric pickup truck. CES in January saw an initial concept for this model; however, the production version features more subtle detailing and a classic Ram look.

The Ram 1500 REV will be equipped with two battery electric motors, as well as a range extender that could recharge the batteries while you drive - something not currently offered in any of Ford, General Motors or Tesla's current electric pickups.

In a new commercial, the REV is seen towing an enormous load across rural landscapes - showing off its range and capacity. It comes in various trims such as crew cab with seating for six or quad cab with eight passengers - each featuring its own drivetrain.

As you can see, the REV features a center touchscreen with physical buttons for climate control and media playback, plus two screens on the dash cluster. Furthermore, an infotainment screen embedded under the passenger-side airbag is similar to what's offered on Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models.

On some Jeep models, a second screen is located in front of the passenger seat. This large touchscreen can be used to operate the vehicle's infotainment system and play videos while driving.

The Ram 1500 REV is expected to go on sale in 2024, falling behind rivals Ford's F-150 Lightning and Chevy's Silverado EV. Furthermore, this truck will feature a range extender which will enable charging your batteries while driving and eliminate the need for stops while on long trips.

Ram's dedication to electrification is part of Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, which seeks to revolutionize how people move by providing innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions. This new ad follows along on that journey by showcasing Ram's electric truck lineup and showing that they are willing to listen to consumers.

The New Ram 1500 REV Concept

Stellantis, the parent company of Ram, has released full images and video of its production version of its Ram 1500 REV battery-electric pickup truck that it plans to bring to market in 2024. The concept model debuted last month at CES in Las Vegas.

The 2019 Ram 1500 looks almost identical to its gas-powered predecessor, with just some subtle modifications. The headlights are different and the taillights extend into the tailgate. While concept images showed a wild exterior featuring an enormous cab that could fit third-row jump seats, production REV adopts a more conventional silhouette.

Koval revealed that this new pickup will be built on a platform called STLA Frame, designed specifically for body-on-frame electric models. Additionally, it may offer an extended range with a small gasoline engine to help boost battery charge while driving.

The REV is expected to offer four-wheel steering and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, such as an off-road mode that lets it tackle difficult terrain. Its air suspension system should offer various modes for added versatility; furthermore, Nissan claims that their vehicle will have class-leading range on a single charge.

What's more, the REV can add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes with an 800-volt fast charger - putting it up against rivals such as Ford F-150 Lightning's 320 miles and Chevy Silverado EV's 400 maximum miles.

No interior details have yet been disclosed about the REV, but from what has been shared so far it appears to be similar to its current model's interior. That doesn't guarantee a dull experience though as there's likely going to be some high-tech features such as a center touchscreen interface.

It will likely feature a screen ahead of the front seat passenger and digital driver's interface that can be controlled with a button on the dashboard. There may also be physical controls for things like radio and climate control system.

The Ram 1500 REV will mark a major advancement for the Ram truck line and likely spark interest among many drivers in electric vehicle options. While we don't yet know if it can out-range rivals Tesla Model X and Ford F-150 Lightning, this could potentially be one of pickup truck's next big things.