Comment from brand’s global boss suggests we’re on the delivery schedule.

PRESUMPTION Ram’s fully electric 1500 REV will be sold in New Zealand is likely to escalate, with the brand’s global boss being quoted as saying the Melbourne operation that re-engineers the brand’s trucks for Australasia will also re-configure the new flagship.

Comment from Mike Koval to the Drive.com.au website comes from a motor show in the United States, where the REV (for ‘revolution’) has been revealed in its final production guise.

There has been no comment, yet, from Ateco Automotive, which represents Ram in New Zealand.

However, Koval’s comment at the New York International Auto Show makes local availability sound like a done deal. 

The questions of ‘when’ and ‘for how much’ are less clear.

 Drive.com.au says while the US pick-up giant is yet to send a prototype version of the electric Ram to Australia, plans are already under way.

Koval has also indicated he needs to focus initially on settling the model, which in optimal form has a claimed driving range of 800km on a single charge of its huge 229kWh battery and can tow more than 6000kg with a heavy-duty hitch, into its home turf.

 However, the potential for exports into this part of the world seems to be high.

Koval made direct reference to New Zealand, being quoted as saying: “Everything we’ve been able to accomplish in Australia and New Zealand is just really inspiring.

“You see the year after year growth in terms of sales and market share, and we want to keep that going.”

He said Ram identifies that it has a lot of fans in this part of the world, so while the release here might be staggered “we're not excluding anybody out of the gate.” 

When asked about the prospect of Ram Trucks Australia undertaking the conversion, he left no doubt, answering: “Absolutely, for sure.” 

 This would be the fastest and most efficient way to introduce the battery-powered version.

In addition to the 229kWh battery – the largest yet used in a passenger model - Ram’s counter to the Rivan and Ford F150 Lightning also options with with a 168kWh pack, sufficient for a range of up to 563km, according to the manufacturer.

Both battery packs run at 800v, and Ram says this will add around 180kms’ of range for every 10 minutes they're being fast-charged at a 350kW charger.

As on America’s other electric pickups, there are AC power outlets—up to 7.2 kW from the truck bed and 3.6 kW from outlets in the frunk—and Ram says it will have a maximum payload capacity of 1225kg and be able to tow up to 6350kg.