RAM 1500 REV battery could cost as much as a whole Toyota Prius
According to data put together by Visual Capitalist, the cost of replacing your next-gen RAM 1500 REV’s battery could exceed $25,000 in components alone. Based on information from Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, VC put together a cost estimate comparison of various EV batteries. The RAM 1500 REV’s massive top-tier 229kWh pack was the most expensive by a considerable margin, at $25,853 — within spitting distance of a brand-new Prius ($27,650). As Snoop Dogg so eloquently put it: Pay the cost to be the boss.
But really, this isn’t about what it might cost to replace a battery down the road, it’s about the cost of super-massive car batteries overall. At 229kWh, that’s almost four VW ID.4 batteries (62kWh) in a single vehicle. There’s growing discussion about at just what point EV battery capacity becomes wasteful from the perspective of materials used to construct a single vehicle, and the RAM REV certainly makes for a good conversation starter there.
With its nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry, the RAM REV’s battery is squarely in the middle of cost per-kWh, too, splitting the difference between premium NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum) and more affordable LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells.
Given the roles a truck like the RAM 1500 REV is going to be expected to fulfill, there are some pretty big engineering challenges to delivering the full range of capability and capacity expected of a pickup on an electrified platform. Ford’s F-150 Lightning has struggled to move units, and the recently unveiled Flash trim was a direct response to customers who balked at the 230-mile range of the entry-level battery and the high price of premium Lariat and Platinum models. Still, even with the larger 131kWh battery, the Lightning has repeatedly managed just 100 miles of total laden towing range in independent testing. Rivian’s R1T has fared no better (though the new R1T Max will certainly improve on total towing distance).
RAM is absolutely watching the early entries into this space, and it has already claimed best-in-class total payload rating for an EV pickup, at 14,000 pounds. With its uber-massive battery, it’s also likely to deliver the best overall towing range of anything in the space for now, with a full 49kWh of capacity above and beyond the just-launched R1T Max. As was often said in the ICE heyday of the 1960s, “there’s no replacement for displacement,” and when it comes to electric pickups, there’s probably no real replacement for battery capacity right now.
Electrek’s Take
Believe VC’s estimate in its precision or not, if it’s even in the ballpark, that’s a tremendous amount of vehicle cost apportioned to a battery. And there’s no denying the math: You could build three or even four “mainstream” electric cars using the same amount of battery cells as a single RAM 1500 REV. And maybe five or six “city car” EVs!
The RAM will not be the first or the last electric vehicle to use a massive battery pack, and it’s only singled out here because, for now, it sits at the very top of all consumer EVs for battery size (the next closest would be the Hummer EV, at 212kWh usable).
As battery chemistry advances and the use of lightweight composites grows, electric pickup trucks will undoubtedly benefit. But at the moment, it does feel a bit like their wasteful reputation will live on to some extent, even in the electrified era.
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Costco members looking for a break on car prices can tap into a new Volvo deal this fall. Members can tap into limited-time manufacturer incentives through the Costco Auto Program, a year-round auto-buying service that secures prearranged low pricing. The latest: a Certified by Volvo Limited-Time Special launched this week.
Certified by Volvo vehicles are pre-owned Volvos that must pass a rigorous test with 170+ points, have less than 80,000 miles, and receive a detailed CARFAX Vehicle History Report. They come with roadside assistance, and EVs and plug-in hybrids also include an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
Until October 31, 2025, eligible Costco members can score an exclusive bonus when buying select Certified by Volvo vehicles from model years 2022 through 2025.5. Gold Star and Business Members get $1,000 off, and Executive Members get $1,250 off. The offer applies to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and BEVs. What makes this deal sweet is that the Costco perk stacks with any other manufacturer incentives you qualify for.
Among the vehicles on the eligible list: The Volvo EX30, the EX90, the XC90*, the most requested premium midsize SUV among Costco members last year, and the Volvo C40 EV, which also topped requests in the premium electric compact SUV category.
To cash in on the offer, Costco members must register online for a certificate, then bring it to a Volvo dealership where they present it at the time of purchase. Full details are on the Certified by Volvo Limited-Time Special page.
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The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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The GV90 is set to arrive as the most luxurious Genesis vehicle to date. With its debut approaching, Genesis is showcasing the ultra-luxe SUV at its new flagship brand space.
Genesis opens new brand space based on the GV90
Although it’s not yet in production form, Genesis is still showcasing its stunning new full-size electric SUV. The Neolun concept, unveiled last March at the New York Auto Show, will soon arrive as the brand’s new flagship model.
When Genesis launches the GV90, expected in mid-2026, it will become the brand’s largest and most luxurious electric vehicle yet.
According to Genesis, the GV90 is “an ultra-luxe, state-of-the-art SUV” that will take the luxury brand to the next level. We’ve seen camouflaged prototypes out testing a few times, revealing advanced new features and luxury design elements, such as coach doors, adaptive air suspension, and more.
The GV90, or Neolun concept (for now, at least), is the centerpiece of the company’s new “Night in Motion” space, which Genesis opened on Thursday.
Based on the Neolun concept, the new exhibition is “the starting point of the Genesis brand’s spatial philosophy.” It’s designed to showcase the brand’s latest design and the beauty of Korean aesthetics.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026, but we could see an official debut before the end of the year.
We will learn prices, range, and other specs soon, but the GV90 is expected to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform. Hyundai claimed the new platform will “provide 50% improvement in driving range” compared to current EVs. It will also offer advanced Level 3 autonomous driving features.
One thing is sure: The Genesis GV90 won’t be cheap. As its largest and most luxurious SUV, the GV90 is expected to start at around $100,000. Higher trim levels could reach upwards of $120,000 or more.
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Ampion Renewable Energy has introduced a new way to expand community solar access – one that breaks barriers by crossing state lines.
The company just launched Synthetic Community Solar, a tool that lets developers extend the financial benefits of solar projects to subscribers in other states. That’s a big shift from the usual model, where subscribers need to live in the same utility territory as the solar farm. This new approach also helps low-income households save more on energy bills while giving developers a faster route to federal tax incentives.
Here’s how it works: When a solar farm is built in one state, Ampion works with utilities to transfer the financial benefits through solar credits to income-qualified households in another state. For example, a 2.5 MW project in Maine already provides Illinois subscribers with up to 20% savings on their electricity bills.
For developers, the timing is critical. The Inflation Reduction Act gives bonus tax credits, known as Category 4 Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), to projects that deliver at least half of the financial benefits to low-income households. Synthetic Community Solar makes it easier to meet those requirements, which in turn improves project economics and long-term site viability.
This model is especially useful when a project is in an area where recruiting low-income subscribers is expensive or challenging. Instead of letting credits go unused, developers can cross state lines, making the project more financially sustainable while supporting households that need savings the most.
Ampion’s CEO and founder, Nate Owen, said the goal is to solve a geographic barrier that has historically limited community solar growth. By bridging programs across different states, the initiative supports the company’s aim to make renewable energy accessible “everywhere, for everyone.”
With the IRA’s major incentives set to expire, solutions like Synthetic Community Solar could help keep projects viable while spreading the financial benefits of clean energy further.
Read more: Nexamp found a faster way to build solar – it did the utility’s job, too
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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