Ram confirms electric Toyota HiLux rival with 800km range

US pick-up maker Ram will expand its portfolio to include a new dual-cab electric ute sized similarly to the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger – underpinned by a car-derived platform shared with everything from large Jeep SUVs to a high-performance Dodge muscle car.

Global automotive giant Stellantis (and Ram parent company) announced overnight its upcoming, car-derived large electric vehicle platform will spawn a new "mid-size" dual-cab ute from the Ram brand, slated for launch between 2024 and 2026.

The new architecture – slated to underpin eight new large passenger cars and SUVs across a variety of brands, including Jeep and Dodge – will enable driving ranges of up to 800km, thanks to batteries with capacities between 101kWh and 118kWh.

It's expected the new Ram ute will measure around 5400mm long and 2000mm wide – around 75mm longer and 150mm wider than a dual-cab Toyota HiLux, and 50mm shorter and 120mm wider than a dual-cab Ford Ranger.

Stellantis claims the electric Ram's platform – known as 'STLA Large' – will support electric motors developing between 125kW and 330kW each, and a choice of front-, rear- or all-wheel drive – opening the door for a future, circa-660kW high-performance variant, potentially translating to a 0-100km/h time below three seconds.

Ultra-fast DC charging capabilities will enable up to 32km of range to be added to the battery per minute of charging.

A teaser sketch of the new model was released alongside the announcement, previewing upright, dual-cab proportions with a short tray and chunky all-terrain tyres – the lattermost hinting at the Ram's off-road capabilities, given the ute will share its platform with future off-road-capable Jeep SUVs.

Rivals in the "mid-size" electric pick-up segment in which the new Ram will compete are few and far between, though struggling Korean car maker SsangYong has promised to launch its own HiLux-sized electric ute in the coming years.

The "full-size" pick-up segment sitting above is becoming increasingly crowded, however, comprising models from the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck to Ram's own all-electric 1500, due to launch in 2024.

An Australian launch for the new Ram electric dual-cab ute has yet to be confirmed, though if its platform proves to be capable of supporting right-hand drive, a local arrival could be on the cards.

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