The battle in the EV truck space seems to be heating up. The first Rivian R1T rolled off the production line in September 2021. In 2022, Rivian filed some exciting patents to incorporate into their EV truck line. However, it looks like Rivian may have some competition, as Stellantis recently filed a similar patent to Rivian’s. 

With Stellantis looking to have its Ram 1500 BEV out on the roads by 2024, it looks like there might be some competition brewing. Here’s more about the tailgate patents both manufacturers recently filed and how the EV truck competition is stacking up. 

Take a look at Rivian’s new tailgate patent 

In early 2022, Rivian filed a new innovative tailgate patent. Rivian’s new patent brings together the ideas of a tailgate step, telescoping panel, and cargo tiedown. According to Motor 1, major pickup manufacturers like Ford and GMC already have similar tailgate functions in their production. Rivian is set to put these new tailgate features in their R1T EV truck. 

The Rivian patent shows that the tailgate could feature a step, making it easier to climb into the bed. The step would be made possible by springs, bars, and scissor links. The patent allows for the potential of a telescoping tailgate that would make it easier for consumers to reach into the bed with the panel telescoping out of the way. There is a potential that the telescoping panel could go side-to-side or up and down. 

A final key piece of this patent is the cargo-holding system the tailgate could offer. The cargo-holding system would attach to the tailgate. In the patent, Rivian shows a bike rack as one example but clarifies that the cargo-holding system could be created to hold various gear. 

Is Stellantis ready to compete against Rivian? 

It looks like Stellantis is ready to give Rivian a run for its money, as the company has recently filed its tailgate patent that is quite similar to Rivian’s from earlier in the year. According to Motor Authority, the key feature of the new Stellantis tailgate patent is a retractable tailgate with a side step that makes accessing the truck bed more accessible for consumers. 

While Stellantis does not yet have its own EV truck in production, the company has announced plans to release the Ram 1500 Full-Size BEV in 2024. Of course, this will put Stellantis behind Ford’s F-150 Lightning, GMC’s Hummer EV, and Rivian’s R1T by roughly two years. However, it looks like Stellantis is moving full steam ahead into the EV truck era. 

When will these new tailgate patents come to fruition? 

While the battle is on in the EV truck space, it doesn’t appear that Rivian or Stellantis have any solid plans to move forward with their new tailgate patents just yet. However, EV enthusiasts can look forward to many new EV truck options hitting the markets in the next few years. Along with the Ford Lightning, Hummer EV, and Rivian R1T, the Chevrolet Silverado EV is looking to hit the market in 2023.

According to Autoweek, the Silverado EV will have an impressive 400-mile range with a 10,000 lb. trailering capacity. In addition, Toyota is expected to release an all-electric version of the Toyota Tundra by 2025. So, while we may not see these tailgate patents put into practice anytime soon, there is still much to look forward to in the EV truck space.