Ram electrifies the 1500, resurrects the compact pickup
After Ford and GM, Ram No longer really had the choice to embark on the electrification of its full-size 1500 series pickup truck. The model will arrive in 2024 at the same time as a new compact pickup truck, also electric.
Rumors have been circulating for years about the return of a compact pickup truck to Ram. We finally had confirmation of the return of such a product as part of the Stellantis EV Day. Are we talking about the reincarnation of the Dakota? Ram is not yet confirming the name, but we can assume that it would be a logical choice.
Beyond the return of the “Dakota”, what is most striking is the choice of engine: 100% electric. Very few details are known at the moment, other than that it will adopt the new STLA monocoque platform. It is difficult to see where the product falls within the range. According to the images that can be seen, it will be quite a bit larger than the Ford Maverick, the latter also being intended for total electrification. We see it more competing with a vehicle like the Honda Ridgeline.
Regarding the full-size pickup truck category, the 1500 will adopt electrification, but under two approaches. To begin with, Ram completely ignores hybridization to go directly to pluggable with the REPB (Range Electric Paradigm Breaker). We will maintain a thermal engine, but assisted in one way or another by one or more electric motors.
The second approach will be completely electric. Like the “Dakota” and the REPB, this version will be built on the STLA platform. Ram makes no mention of the horsepower or size of batteries available, but it is argued that the pickup will have a range of some 800 kilometers and can withstand rapid charging up to 150 kilowatt hours.
As Ford arrives in a few months with its 2022 F-150 Lightning, Ram is following GM’s late approach and will make us wait. The Ram 1500 EV will not come out of the grille until 2024. That reality leaves the field open to Ford for two full years. To this, we must add that other large electric vans will also have arrived on the market, such as the Tesla Cybertruck and the Rivian R1T.
