The 2025 Ram 1500 REV marks the carmaker’s initial entry into the electric pickup arena. Clearly, it’s plunging deep into the area. Ram asserts that the highest trim REV is poised to achieve a targeted 500 miles of range primarily due to an incredibly massive battery. However, there is more than what meets the eye in the quest to reach this ambitious milestone.
Let’s delve into the battery, which is likely tipping the scales at over one and a half tons. At 229 kilowatt-hours, it stands as the largest we have ever witnessed outfitted in a passenger vehicle. It outshines even the 200-kwh, 3,000-pound battery in the Hummer EV, which I humorously refer to as the Acid Mattress. This battery resembles the gargantuan Acid Mattress California King.
This energy capacity translates into substantial range based on the truck’s efficiency. Some basic calculations reveal that the Ram must achieve at least 2.18 miles per kWh to reach the manufacturer’s target. This is theoretically possible, though quite inefficient in comparison to other electric vehicles. For example, a Lucid Air attains a similar range with a 112 kWh battery while operating at an efficiency of 4.6 miles per kWh.
To hit around 2.18 miles per kWh, Ram intends to utilize various tactics. Primarily, aerodynamics management plays a significant role. The 1500 REV boasts a claimed drag coefficient of 0.34, an impressive figure for a pickup truck. This achievement stems from the truck’s aerodynamic design as well as hidden features like a full-length belly pan. Additionally, the REV sits lower to the ground while cruising on the highway, utilizing its air suspension to reduce drag, a technique also employed by traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and other electric vehicles.
Further efficiencies are achieved by disconnecting the front drive unit from the road when not in use. Every Ram 1500 REV variant incorporates a dual-motor drivetrain, implying that all models, even those with the smaller 168-kWh battery, should feature this mechanism.
