Ram Plugs Customers into EV Plan

by


The wave of all-electric pickups is well upon the market, with options on the table from non-traditional players like Rivian and Tesla plus legacy automakers like Ford and GM. The latter has trotted out a variety of rigs all based on their Ultium technology, while Dearborn has apparently been busy filling every order they care to take. Rivian trucks have also been spotted in the wild, which is more than what we can say for Tesla.

One brand notably absent from the EV table? Ram. While they’ve shown shadowy sketches and vague underpinnings of promised pickups, we’ve yet to see a fully-built take on what’s traditionally been the truck segment’s most in-yer-face competitor.

They’re apparently working on something, however – and are inviting potential customers along for the ride.

It’s a program called Ram Revolution, a name which your author first thought was going to be applied to yet another special edition of the 1500 half-ton. But it isn’t. Ram Revolution is actually a so-called “exclusive insider program” for fans of the brand which invites them to join the Ram on its journey to enter the EV pickup truck market with the new Ram 1500 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

Given the penchant of these marketers to create over-the-top and aggressive names for their wares (witness Power Wagon and the like), we’re hopeful – but not optimistic – the new battery-powered pickup will be named along the lines of ReadyShock or Megawatt Brute or Captain Proton. All apologies to the creators of Star Trek: Voyager with that last reference.

“Our new Ram Revolution campaign will allow us to engage with consumers in a close and personal way,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram Brand CEO – Stellantis. “We can gather meaningful feedback, understand their wants and needs and address their concerns – ultimately allowing us to deliver the best electric pickup truck on the market with the Ram 1500 BEV.”

If it sounds like a website that provides the opportunity to send feedback to the company about their all-electric project, you’re right on the money. A new site – called RamRevolution.com – is said to provide consumers with a brand connection and its EV philosophy, along with meaningful updates and unique visuals. They also promise an ‘ongoing dialogue’ that will apparently include the opportunity to provide input as Ram EV trucks are developed. Given the reception some EV pickups have gotten from a few traditional truck buyers, we hope Stellantis has the profanity filter activated on their incoming email.

Ram will deliver fully electrified solutions in the majority of its segments by 2025 (read: Half-tons and delivery vans), with a full portfolio of electrified solutions planned for all of its segments no later than 2030. That final detail gives us the clearest picture yet as to when we could see electrification in a Ram HD pickup.

[Images: Ram]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.





Source link