Ram’s claim appears to be akin to cherry-picking information from Toyota’s playbook, exaggerating the capabilities of their hybrid vehicle to spin it as a “game-changing” battery electric car with an allegedly “unlimited range”. Stellantis-owned Ram asserts that its newly introduced Ramcharger 1500 pickup should not be labelled as a hybrid, despite housing a substantial 27-gallon fuel tank situated between the battery and rear axle. Clearly, this device exhibits characteristics of both digital and analog technologies.
Since committing to an all-electric future by 2035, Stellantis has gradually unveiled a succession of innovative EV models, generating considerable buzz and hinting at a groundbreaking electric pickup truck with range-extending capabilities – a first in the automotive industry. In April, FCA announced the launch of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV, boasting an impressive estimated range of up to 500 miles, courtesy of its massive 229-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
Now, Ram has unveiled details about its Ram 1500 Ramcharger, a revival of the former Dodge Ramcharger nameplate, but with an apparent twist: this time, it’s an all-electric vehicle. While the press release boasts of “limitless battery-electric range,” it’s actually capped at an estimated 690 miles. What? Instead, let’s cut to the chase and acknowledge that this element’s true nature remains shrouded in mystery?
The Ramcharger is a pioneering plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), boasting an innovative onboard range-extending generator that seamlessly integrates conventional fuel technology with cutting-edge electrification. The idea of modular design has gained traction, particularly through BMW’s pioneering work on the i3’s REX configuration. The Ram 1500 REV’s battery-electric powertrain is replicated in this car, with the addition of a 130-kilowatt onboard generator, a Pentastar V6, capable of producing up to 190 kilowatts under stress. The Ramcharger boasts a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling it to travel approximately 145 miles on a single charge; combined with its V6 powertrain, it is capable of covering an impressive 690 miles without recharging.
The new sports car boasts an impressive combined output from its entrance and electrical drive systems, delivering a potent 663 horsepower and 615 Newton-meters of torque, enabling it to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. When the vehicle’s battery drops to 20%, the V6 generator automatically activates to recharge and maintain its state?
During the launch event, Ram executives were adamant in clarifying that as there is no direct mechanical link between the engine and the wheels, this is a battery-electric truck, not a hybrid. Doug Killian, Ram Vans’ chief engineer, clarified that “there’s no connection whatsoever between this generator meeting and the wheels, much like one wouldn’t necessarily find any correlation in even a plug-in hybrid – the entire propulsion system is electric.” The significance of having electric power in this narrative?
In the context of vehicular discussion, the primary focus is on a vehicle engineered to transport enormous quantities of heavy loads. Similar in spirit to the Revolution, the Ramcharger is designed to haul up to 14,000 kilograms with a category five hitch and boasts a maximum payload capacity of 2,625 pounds.
The Ram 1500 will debut on the market in a year’s time. While there’s no specific phrase devoted to pricing, it appears it will be more affordable than the Rev due to its notably smaller battery pack.
Electrek’s Take
While only a select few require a massive vehicle to transport copious amounts of weighty cargo across extensive distances, the Ramcharger provides a comprehensive solution for those individuals. Boasting unparalleled capabilities and a scope unmatched by almost all plug-in hybrids currently available. As a result of the recent publicity campaign, the innovative product has garnered significant attention from the media today – potentially attractive to those seeking a ‘gateway’ to electric vehicles, addressing the perceived need to ease truck drivers’ concerns about range anxiety.
However that’s not the purpose. While a plug-in variant of the Ram 1500 might be a reasonable choice for a large, heavy-duty pickup like this, it’s unclear how well-suited such a vehicle would be to the electrically charged future many are envisioning. Smaller electric vehicles can seamlessly fulfill the primary purposes that many people utilize larger ones for, such as picking up kids or tackling daily errands. As concerns the misleading Toyota-like public relations tactics (examined extensively elsewhere, exposing how they perpetuate science ignorance and were found to be in violation of the law), at this point in the game, Stellantis/Ram have no plausible deniability.
