2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger's Unique Onboard Charging System

author: FutureCar Staff    

One of the biggest concerns people have when considering an electric vehicle is range anxiety. This is the fear of running out of battery power on the road without a charging station nearby. However, Stellantis' Ram brand may have a solution for this issue, especially for truck owners who need to haul or tow things. 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 linked to a generator that can recharge the battery while the truck is in motion.

Electric vehicle sales growth has started to slow down, leading automakers to reevaluate their investments in the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains. The main reasons for the slowdown are 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 but believes that the Ramcharger can alleviate them. He assures customers that they don't have to worry about range anxiety with this vehicle.

Stellantis is confident in the appeal of this new powertrain and plans to offer it in other vehicles as well. Although the company has not made an official statement, a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers suggests that the same power system will be used in the Jeep Wrangler small SUV in 2028, and the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer large SUVs in 2025.

The Ramcharger, set to be available in showrooms by the end of next year, boasts 663 horsepower and can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 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.

The battery of the Ramcharger can be charged at home or at a direct-current fast-charging station. In just 10 minutes, it can gain 50 miles of range. Moreover, with a two-direction home charging station, the truck can 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.

According to Kuniskis, more than 20% of Ram sales will need to be at least partially electric in order to meet upcoming U.S. government fuel economy and emissions requirements. Stellantis has already 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 choice for these individuals. Stellantis will need to keep the price reasonable to attract buyers who have been deterred by the high prices of electric pickups offered by Ford, General Motors, and Rivian.

While demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. has experienced significant growth in recent years, it has started to level off. In August, EVs accounted for 8.3% of total vehicle sales, but in September, that number dropped to 7.9%. Analysts attribute this slowdown to increasing EV inventory and dropping prices as demand stabilizes.

The Ramcharger is part of a revamped lineup of Ram pickups that will be available in showrooms starting early next year. These trucks feature upgraded interiors, suspensions, and bodies, along with a new RAM badge mounted 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