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Is Ram's Electric Truck Concept with Third-Row Seating Going to be a Family-Friendly EV?

Exploring the Design Features of Ram's Electric Truck Concept

By Jen DemkinPublished about a year ago 6 min read
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Photo Credit: Automotive Rythms

The third-row seating is usually present in many full-size SUV models. They are a must-have feature, especially for those who are wanting to seat more passengers. But for pickup trucks, you can either choose a single cab or a crew cab. there.

Even single-cab pickups are rare nowadays. Modern crew-cab trucks already offer more rear-seat legroom. But Ram decided that third-row seating in a pickup truck might be a great idea. During the Ram Revolution BEV concept reveal, the three-row seating has been showcased.

Revolution EV

Ram has rolled out a new concept vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). A lot of Ram fans were wondering if this it’s a proper truck or some kind of SUV with a bed attached. The 2024 Ram Revolution EV is like a mashup of an SUV and pickup truck. It is larger as it rides on 35-inch truck tires and has an interesting-looking bed design.

Stellantis aims to be the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, and it is positioning itself to create new EV concepts. Ram plans to offer the electric truck by the 2024 model year, but the commencement of the production has not yet been disclosed.

The Ram 1500 Revolution is unlike any vehicle on the road due to its powertrain and unique features. The EV concept proves that electric pickup can offer similar amounts of seating capacity as SUVs while providing truck-like capabilities. With the three rows of seats, the cab of the truck is extra-long.

The new EV truck concept is certainly revolutionary. Ram swaps the current solid axle for an independent rear suspension. The internal combustion engine was tossed aside in favor of two electric motors. Despite the changes to complete the EV, it is by definition a full-frame pickup truck.

Third-row seating

One of the highlights of the all-new concept is its sheer number of seats. It has third-row seating that can do double-duty in the truck bed for tailgating. The rearmost seats of the electric truck are part of a makeshift third row. Based on the images of the Ram truck concept, the two rearmost seating are designed as jump seats and they each feature bottoms that fold out of the rear wall.

The wall where the jump seats are attached is the same one that doubles as a mid-gate. It opens up to make an even larger cargo bed. The seats have a folding design to give a bigger cargo space that supports the rear bed.

Why jump seats on the third row?

You may remember sitting in the jump seat of a rusted-out Chevy S-10. Anyone who has ever sat on jump seats knows they are not very comfortable. They are usually placed in the back of an extended-cab pickup. They are awkward to sit on because they’re small. But it seems that the jump seats are making a comeback in Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept.

In the past, jump seats were not meant to coddle passengers, especially on road trips. Prolonged sitting on jump seats can be excruciating, so they are only used to provide extra space for people on short stints.

People are debating whether or not the third-row seats on the Ram EV are useless or handy. The three-row can be a bit misleading to others, especially if they find out that the seats in the third row are not permanently affixed like the other rows. It can be subjective, especially for people who want more seats for passengers.

According to Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’s head of design, the seats can be removed, allowing them to be used in the cargo bed for tailgating or even outside the vehicle. Aside from the fold-out seats on the third row, the seats on the second row can slide forward to create more room.

Enhanced cargo space

The Detroit automaker promises clever ways to add more storage to the electric truck. The concept features storage areas that allow objects that measure up to 18 feet long to fit from the bed to the frunk.

The Ram 1500 Revolution is an extended-crew-cab pickup with four doors. The length of the cab is roughly 4 inches longer than the cab that Ram sells these days. The bedside panels are designed so that they could be extended into the cab area. When the bed is extended into the interior, it can be used for additional space for cargo.

It has side steps, making it easier to get in and out of the full-size pickup. It also has a larger Ram Box designed with a multifunctional tailgate. Hopefully, it can be included in the production as it is a beneficial feature.

Due to the extendable panels, headache racks may not be recommended to use on the Ram EV trucks. A headache rack is a metal-made frame placed in the rear cab window of the truck. It protects the driver and your passengers from literally getting a headache as it is designed to prevent tools or oversized cargo from breaking through the cab window. Aside from preventing damage to your vehicle, certain heavy-duty headache racks can also help reflect sunlight to lessen the heat that gets into the cab. Although some headache racks are thin, they prevent large debris from breaking the rear window as the materials are welded close together. The racks come with a powder coating that matches the cab guard and protects the vehicle from scratches, chips, and corrosion.

Truck bed improved

The interior space of the Ram EV concept can be impressively maximized compared to a regular gas Ram 1500 with an internal combustion engine. Since it does not need an engine under its hood, the engine bay serves as additional cargo space compared to a traditional ICE-powered pickup.

It has an STLA-Frame skateboard chassis that sits underneath. Trucks with combustion engines cannot match—Ram 1500 EV allows for a flat, low floor profile that opens up the interior space for more opportunities.

Although the Detroit automaker did not divulge the specific figures for the EV's maximum tow rating and payload capacity, the brand promises that the truck will have more pulling power than its EV competitors. Currently, Ford Lightning, the electric F-150 version, has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, so expect the Ram EV truck's max capacity to exceed that.

Family-friendly EV

In its concept form, the Ram 1500 EV promises plenty of passenger space. The company is proud of calling the truck’s third row an “industry-first.” The third-row seating is good for children or even adults, and those jump seats give a “limo-like” look to the vehicle. The foldable seating option that makes the third row is a testament that pickup trucks can be a great vehicle—not just for work, but for family use too. Many truck buyers will anticipate its production and wait for it becomes available in the market.

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About the Creator

Jen Demkin

Hi, I'm Jen from 4WheelOnline. My fascination with vehicles started in my childhood. I like cars more than dolls. I enjoy writing about automotive industry news, vehicle maintenance tips, and more.

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