There’s a new pickup truck on the scene! At least, RAM has taken the covers off their future EV Pickup, the rather disconcertingly called RAM 1500 REV. Reactions, as ever on the internet, were mixed.
On the one hand, there’s the people that think that this is a giant, stupid, unnecessary vehicle. Just another data point on America’s long history of making ridiculous giant barges that nobody really needs instead of focusing on [INSERT WHICHEVER VEHICLE SEGMENT THEY WOULD PREFER]. Just look at it with its 650 horsepower and a 229kW battery pack. Finally, a vehicle to out-stupid the Hummer EV.
Then on the other hand you have the people that say that finally, this is an EV worth buying. None of those stupid electric cars, too large to be Power Wheels, too small to be real cars, too Ford-y to consider as a serious purchase.
And as ever, in the midst of people who will never meet each other sharing their collections of derogatory terms, there’s just the people that find the thing interesting. The ones that know that the transition to BEV will not make the need (or indeed, the want) for large vehicles to disappear. And that while the greatest minds on the planet are trying to figure out battery energy density, more stable constructions, nonexistent battery wear, or even if we need a battery at all, the only way we’re going to get the range you would with the extended fuel tank option in something like this is with a gigantic battery.
That’s not to say that I don’t think it’s a bit too large, but that’s mostly because I think the entire segment suffers from that. Indeed, I believe that the main reason the “Mid-size” pickup truck segment is enjoying a boom is because they’re about the size of what a full-size was about two-generations ago. If you expect the market to put a stop to it, you’ll have to wait for a long time, as giant pickups are selling as well as they have ever been.
And therein lies the rub I think. For as much as we complain as enthusiasts, these are the cars that people actually want. Manufacturers have learned time and time again that it’s a dangerous gamble to appeal to the vocal automotive enthusiast. You can get your offering just right and the hate will flow. So…take that gamble, or give your electric pickup truck enough battery to do 500 miles under ideal conditions, or at least twice what the Winnebago eRV2 will do when towing/hauling.
It doesn’t take running it through the accountants to know which one is the correct decision.
This *Longer, taller, wider* thing can’t last forever. It’s rather dumb to think that will be the case. And yes, to the delight of those that would prefer everyone drive around on a car they like because “That’s all the car anyone can need” it’ll probably be quite costly to the manufacturers. But in the meantime, at least with the REVolution they’ll be wasteful in a much more sustainable, environmentally friendly way.
