1500 REV

Make
Ram
Segment
Sports Car

Ram has detailed an automated robot charging solution for the new Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept called the Ram Charger, bringing an iconic Dodge nameplate into the modern era and reinventing EV charging with greater convenience than ever.

As part of the reveal of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show, the automaker included information about a new inductive robot charger that can detect the presence of the truck, ascertain how much charge the battery has, and then move into place to feed juice into the battery automatically.

What's more, this brilliant piece of technology includes a smart charge feature that allows charging during off-peak times, reducing the customer's load on the power grid and minimizing energy costs. While we don't expect all of the remarkable features showcased on the concept to make their way to the production version of the Ram 1500 EV in 2024, we sincerely hope this one makes the cut.

If the Ram Charger name sounds familiar, it's because Dodge produced an alternative to the K5 Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco between 1974 and 1993 called the Ramcharger. By applying the name to an accessory rather than reserving it for a future vehicle, it seems that Ram will continue to focus on pickups rather than SUVs, but that is irrelevant.

What does matter is that Ram has brought a new level of convenience to the concept of EV ownership, but it's not altogether unique. Tesla revealed something similar in prototype form way back in 2015. Years later, customers of that brand still have to create their own automatic chargers or deal with the schlep of plugging their EVs in manually, but others are developing similar robotic charging devices, including Ford.

With the Ram Charger, the charge port door on the vehicle is powered, so there is literally nothing the driver has to do but park. In addition, a distinctive sound will emanate from the electric pickup when plugged in and charging has begun. For added convenience, the port itself is illuminated and blinks while charging, making it easy to check up on from a distance.

It remains to be seen if this product will be ready for the mainstream market come 2024, but it certainly looks like automatic charging will become viable very soon. Either way, Ram is making the most of being late to the electric truck party, and the likes of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning will surely be looking over their shoulders.