2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger onboard charging system

author: FutureCar Staff    

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

The growth of electric vehicle sales has started to slow down, causing automakers to reconsider their investments in the transition from internal combustion 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 expand the use of this new powertrain in other vehicles as well. While no official announcement has been made, a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers suggests that the Jeep Wrangler small SUV will have the same power system in 2028, while 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 a powerful 663 horsepower and can go 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 cover up to 690 miles. Additionally, it 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. In just 10 minutes, the truck can add 50 miles of range. Furthermore, with a two-direction home charging station, the Ramcharger can also power a home during a storm or tools at a job site.

While other companies offer gas-electric hybrid trucks for efficiency, the Ramcharger stands out because its gas engine solely produces electricity to charge the battery and does not directly power the wheels.

In order to meet upcoming U.S. government fuel economy and emissions requirements, Ram sales will need to have more than 20% of their vehicles powered at least partially by electricity. Stellantis unveiled a fully electric Ram pickup called the REV earlier this year.

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.

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. Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at Guidehouse Insights, believes that the Ramcharger could be the right fit for these consumers. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the price reasonable to attract customers who have been deterred by the high prices of electric pickups offered by other manufacturers.

Electric vehicle demand in the U.S. has started to level off after a period of significant growth. While EV sales in August accounted for 8.3% of the total market, sales dropped to 7.9% in September. The year-over-year growth rate also decreased in September, indicating a slowdown in demand.

The Ramcharger is part of a revamped lineup of Ram pickups that will be available in showrooms starting early next year. The new trucks feature upgraded interiors, suspensions, and bodies, with a new RAM badge positioned higher on the grille. The Ram 1500 pickup will 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