Delivery and cargo vans represent an excellent use case for electrification, but US buyers have a limited selection of electric options, so it’s welcome news that Ram has unveiled its first EV for the US—the Ram ProMaster electric van.
The new Ram ProMaster EV will eventually be offered in five configurations. The delivery model is available now, and a cargo version, in 12-foot and 13.5-foot cargo lengths, will be available at an unspecified future date. (All variants are built on a 159-inch wheelbase.)
The electric van is built on Ram’s ProMaster platform, but features a unibody design that’s built specifically for EVs. The ProMaster EV’s battery is positioned under the floor, so the van has the flat floor that users need. The van offers up to 524 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on the variant—the same as the legacy ProMaster—and up to 3,020 lbs payload.
A 200 kW electric motor delivers 268 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. A standard 110 kWh battery pack is expected to deliver a range of up to 162 miles in city driving. Level 2 charging happens at 11 kW, and several DC fast charging options are available: 50 kW, 85 kW, 125 kW and 150 kW.
The delivery van comes with an array of fleet management features, including Ram Telematics, which enables Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) and Apps Over the Air (AOTA)updates; a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot; real-time vehicle diagnostics; and last-mile navigation based on a smartphone app. It also includes the same safety and security features found on Ram’s legacy full-size commercial van, as well as the usual EV goodies—10.1-inch touchscreen, support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa.
The Ram ProMaster EV is highly customizable, and Ram Commercial is “well known for providing upfitter-friendly offerings.” A standard upfitter electrical connector and an integrated cab configuration are designed to make upfitting and conversion easy. Most primary vehicle systems are packaged forward of the cargo area.
“The introduction of the Ram ProMaster EV represents another major milestone on our electrification journey as we continue to evolve without sacrificing capability,” said Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis. “Ram’s first available electric vehicle is a game-changer, offering commercial customers, large and small, the ultimate van in zero-emissions performance, commercial capability and advanced technology.”
Sources: Stellantis, Electrek
