Stellantis, the parent company of Ram Trucks, has announced plans to produce an industry-first pickup truck equipped with both an onboard gas engine and an electric generator. The Ram 1500 Ramcharger is set to be the “ultimate answer for battery-electric trucks,” according to Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis.
The unique feature of the Ramcharger is its ability to operate as a zero-emissions electric vehicle until its battery dies. At that point, an electric onboard generator, powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, kicks in to power the vehicle. This hybrid system allows the truck to offer the benefits of an electric vehicle, such as fast acceleration and some zero-emissions driving, without the range anxiety that often accompanies fully electric vehicles.
The Ramcharger is expected to have an impressive range of up to 690 miles, including up to 145 miles powered by a 92 kilowatt-hour battery when fully charged. Compared to other electric pickup trucks, such as the all-electric Ram 1500 REV, which is expected to have a range of up to 500 miles, the Ramcharger offers significantly more range.
Stellantis estimates that the Ramcharger will go on sale in late 2024, alongside the all-electric Ram 1500 truck. The pricing for the Ramcharger has not yet been announced.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis sees the Ramcharger as a bridge between traditional trucks with internal combustion engines and fully electric ones. He acknowledges the current challenges surrounding charging infrastructure and range anxiety, especially for trucks used for towing. By offering a hybrid system that combines the benefits of electrification with the practicality of a gas engine and generator, Ram hopes to appeal to a wider range of truck buyers.
The Ramcharger will be the first production full-size pickup truck to feature this hybrid technology. Similar technology, known as extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), has been available in overseas markets and in vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt sedan. However, the Ramcharger sets itself apart by being exclusively propelled by electric motors once the battery dies, rather than relying on the engine for propulsion.
In addition to its unique propulsion system, the Ramcharger boasts impressive performance. It will have 663 horsepower, 615 foot-pounds of torque, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. The truck will also be capable of bidirectional charging, meaning it can act as a generator to power appliances or even an entire home.
While Ram’s truck strategy differs from its competitors, GM and Ford, who are offering a range of hybrid and all-electric versions of their trucks, Ram believes the Ramcharger’s hybrid system addresses performance and range anxiety concerns that customers may have. However, the challenge lies in effectively communicating the benefits and functionality of the hybrid system to consumers.
Overall, the introduction of the Ram 1500 Ramcharger represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between traditional gas-powered trucks and fully electric vehicles. By offering a hybrid system with an electric generator and gas engine, Ram hopes to provide customers with the best of both worlds – the power and convenience of a gas engine, combined with the efficiency and environmental benefits of electrification.