2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger onboard charging

author: FutureCar Staff    

One of the biggest concerns for people considering buying an electric vehicle is range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery power with nowhere to recharge. Stellantis' Ram brand may have a solution for this, especially for those who need a truck for hauling or towing. They have developed the Ramcharger, a pickup truck that can travel 145 miles on electricity. It is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 gas-powered engine connected to a generator that can recharge the battery while the truck is in motion.

The growth of electric vehicle sales is starting to slow down, causing automakers to reevaluate their investments in the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. The reasons for this slowdown include cost, limited range, and a lack of charging stations compared to the abundance of gas stations. Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram brand, acknowledges these concerns and believes that the Ramcharger can alleviate them.

Stellantis plans to introduce the new powertrain system used in the Ramcharger in other vehicles as well. While there is no official confirmation, a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers suggests that the Jeep Wrangler small SUV will feature the same power system in 2028, and the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer large SUVs will have it in 2025.

The Ramcharger, set to be available in showrooms by the end of next year, boasts 663 horsepower and can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. When the battery is fully charged and the generator's gas tank is full, it can travel up to 690 miles. Additionally, the truck has a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, surpassing the current Ram pickup with a V8 engine.

Charging the battery can be done at home or at a direct-current fast-charging station, where it can gain 50 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes. Ram engineers also mention that with a two-direction home charging station, the truck can power a home during a storm or tools on a job site.

While other companies offer gas-electric hybrid trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the Ramcharger stands out because its gas engine solely generates electricity to charge the battery and does not directly drive the wheels.

Ram's CEO, Tim Kuniskis, believes that over 20% of Ram sales will need to be electric or partially electric to meet upcoming U.S. government fuel economy and emissions requirements. Earlier this year, Stellantis unveiled the fully electric Ram pickup called the REV.

Stellantis has been criticized for having the worst fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions among major automakers, according to a 2022 report by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Analysts suggest that there is a segment of truck shoppers who desire the performance of an electric vehicle but do not want to compromise on range or towing capabilities. Stellantis aims to cater to this demand by offering a package that provides the performance of an electric powertrain while still allowing long-distance travel and towing. The Ramcharger allows drivers to simply stop and refuel with gas when needed.

Although demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. has started to level off after a period of significant growth, Stellantis remains optimistic about the future of EVs. The Ramcharger is part of a revamped lineup of Ram pickups that will be available in showrooms from early next year, alongside internal combustion engine versions. These new trucks feature upgraded interiors, suspensions, and bodies, and sport a new RAM badge positioned higher on the grille. The Ram 1500 pickup will also offer an optional new twin-turbo 3-liter straight-line six-cylinder engine with up to 540 horsepower, surpassing the power of the previous Hemi V8 engine.

FutureCar Staff