Ram has debuted what will be its first electric vehicle to hit the market. On Tuesday, Stellantis’ popular truck and commercial division unveiled the new ProMaster EV, a versatile battery-powered van with impressive performance figures and generous amounts of standard technology.
When it comes to range, the one thing everyone seems to fret about, this Ram is expected to go up to 162 miles on a charge… in city driving. That means this vehicle should have longer legs than its direct competitor, the Ford E-Transit, which, when properly equipped, tops out at an estimated 126 miles on a full charge.
Just like its blue-oval rival, the ProMaster EV is designed primarily for urban use, where it’s sure to excel as a delivery or logistics vehicle. For a modern EV, 162 miles of range is laughably low, but Ram undoubtedly has copious amounts of research to justify that figure. For its intended clientele, the battery-powered ProMaster should work extremely well. Customers that need more range can always purchase a gas-powered model.
Not surprisingly, this EV shares the same unibody architecture with combustion-powered ProMasters, though certain modifications were required to accommodate the battery pack, which mounts under the floor toward the middle of the vehicle.
“Ram’s first available electric vehicle is a game-changer,” said Tim Kuniskis, Ram brand CEO, in a release shared by the automaker. “[It offers] commercial customers, large and small, the ultimate van in zero-emissions performance, commercial capability and advanced technology.” He also described this product as “another major milestone” as parent company Stellantis pushes forward with its broader electrification strategy.
The new ProMaster EV will be offered in several formfactors: a delivery model and two cargo configurations. The former features a roll-up rear door to make it easier to load and unload goods; a sliding pocket door is also included, so couriers don’t have to wrestle with a swinging door at every stop. Delivery models should also offer a payload capacity of up to 2,030 pounds and they’ll come standard with a super-high roof as well as a heated steering wheel and heated windshield. As for the more-conventional cargo variant, it will come with either a 12- or 13-foot-long storage area. The payload rating is half a ton higher than the delivery model, topping out at 3,020 pounds.
When it comes to performance, this van features a standard 110-kilowatt-hour battery, significantly larger than the E-Transit’s energy reservoir, which has a usable capacity of just 68-kWh. Depending on configuration, this Ram’s pack will be able to DC fast charge at four different speeds: 50, 85, 125 and 150 kilowatts. In comparison, the E-Transit maxes out at 115 kW.
This Ram’s battery pack juices a single electric motor that provides 268 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, output figures that are nearly identical to the Ford’s. Accordingly, the ProMaster EV’s acceleration should be perfectly adequate for urban use, if a bit winded at higher speeds.
Expect generous amounts of standard technology in this battery-powered Ram. Rear parking sensors with automatic stop capability, forward collision warning, crosswind assist, a high-definition reversing camera with dynamic gridlines, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams and much more are all included at no extra charge. LED headlamps and fog lights are standard, too, with the former putting out 70% more Lumens and offering 50% more range than what came on previous-generation, gas-powered ProMaster vans.
For customers that want it all, high-end amenities like front parking sensors, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a digital rearview mirror and even a 360-degree camera system are all on the options list.
Like other Stellantis products, this van features with a Uconnect 5 infotainment system that includes a large 10.1-inch touchscreen. For extra convenience, this multimedia array also supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Commercial customers will find plenty to like about the new Ram ProMaster EV except for, perhaps, the price. Delivery models are expected to start at $79,990 including $1,995 in destination fees, though the vehicle is eligible for the 45W commercial vehicle credit, which is good for up to $7,500. In comparison, the E-Transit cargo van starts around $52,000. Interested parties can order a new ProMaster EV starting right now, with deliveries slated to begin in the first half of the year.
