2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger onboard charging

author: FutureCar Staff    

One of the biggest concerns people have about electric vehicles is range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery power with no charging stations nearby. Stellantis' Ram brand may have a solution to this problem with their new pickup truck called the Ramcharger. This truck can travel 145 miles on electricity alone, thanks to a 3.6-liter V6 gas-powered engine that acts as a generator to recharge the battery while the truck is in motion.

Electric vehicle sales growth has started to slow down, and this has caused automakers to reconsider their investments in the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. The main reasons for this slowdown are the cost of electric vehicles, limited range, and a lack of charging stations compared to the abundance of gas stations.

The CEO of the Ram brand, Tim Kuniskis, acknowledges these concerns and believes that the Ramcharger can address them. He states that there are many advantages to electric vehicles, but certain factors are slowing down their adoption. With the Ramcharger, he can assure customers that range anxiety is not an issue.

Stellantis plans to offer this new powertrain in other vehicles as well. Although the company has not made an official announcement, a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers reveals plans to use the same power system in future Jeep models, such as the Wrangler, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer.

The Ramcharger, set to arrive in showrooms by the end of next year, boasts impressive performance capabilities. It can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds, thanks to its 663 horsepower. When the battery is fully charged and the gas tank is full, the truck can travel up to 690 miles. Additionally, it has a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds.

Charging the battery of the Ramcharger can be done at home or at fast-charging stations, where it can gain 50 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The truck also has the capability to power a home or tools on a job site during a power outage or in remote locations.

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

Stellantis aims to have over 20% of Ram sales powered at least partially by electricity to meet future fuel economy and emissions requirements set by the U.S. government. Earlier this year, the company unveiled a fully electric Ram pickup called the REV.

Stellantis has been criticized for having the worst fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions among major automakers. However, the Ramcharger presents an opportunity for the company to cater to truck shoppers who desire electric performance without sacrificing range or towing capacity.

Although demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. has started to level off, Stellantis hopes that the Ramcharger and its revamped lineup of trucks will attract customers. The new trucks feature upgraded interiors, suspensions, and bodies, along with a redesigned RAM badge on the grille. The Ram 1500 pickup will also offer a new twin-turbo 3-liter straight-six engine with up to 540 horsepower.

In conclusion, the Ramcharger addresses range anxiety concerns by offering a pickup truck with an electric powertrain and a gas-powered generator for extended range. Stellantis plans to expand the use of this power system in other vehicles, and they hope to capture a significant portion of the market by providing electric performance without compromising on towing capacity or range.

FutureCar Staff