.png)
Ram wants to solve all your EV gripes with the new 1500 Ramcharger, which uses none other than a combustion engine to push the battery to deliver a segment-crushing 690 miles of range. While it's nothing like the last truck to use the Ramcharger badge, this range-extended pickup serves as a more practical alternative to the battery-only 1500 REV.
While the Ramcharger does combine an engine with a battery and a set of electric motors, it's not a hybrid. That's because the 3.6 liter V6 engine serves as a generator to recharge the battery, providing more juice to push the truck for longer than a typical EV could travel on a single charge, which could make this a sort of reverse hybrid. Interestingly, the V6 only works with the battery, and does not touch the wheels or motors in any way. The truck's all-wheel drive powertrain uses the V6 to power a large 92 kWh battery pack, while the wheels are powered by dual electric motors. This setup delivers a healthy 663 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, which surpasses the fully electric REV in terms of horsepower but slips behind in terms of torque. Meanwhile, its brisk 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph from a standstill matches the REV exactly.
Unsurprisingly, the V6 allows the Ramcharger to blow other electric trucks out of the water in terms of range, as it can travel up to 690 miles on a single charge. And luckily, owners won't have to go searching for charging stations just to wait for half an hour or more, as the Ramcharger gets its juice from your good old gas station. The engine also makes the Ramcharger more competent when it comes to real truck chores, as it's capable of towing up to 14,000 lbs, which beats all electric trucks save for the matching REV. However, the backup engine ensures that the truck will haul your stuff in conditions that would otherwise diminish its electric range. The Ramcharger also leads the pack with a payload capacity of 2,625 lbs.
The Ramcharger rides on a new STLA Frame platform, which is another way of referring to your typical body-on-frame construction. Other benefits with this architecture include an electric drive module in front that uses an automatic disconnect, allowing the front wheels to spin freely for improved efficiency. Meanwhile, the rear electric drive module comes with an electronically-locking rear differential. The Ramcharger also uses a multi-link rear suspension, along with a four-corner air suspension with five available modes. Some of these modes include one that lowers the truck for easier ingress and egress, and of course there's a mode suited to off-roading that raises the Ramcharger's ground clearance.
Like most other trucks these days, gas or electric, the Ramcharger features an onboard power system that enables bi-directional charging with up to 7.2 kW of available power. And for when you'd rather hook your pickup up to an electric charger instead of a gas station, the Ramcharger supports DC fast charging of up to 145 kW, which can add about 50 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes.
Visually setting a Ramcharger apart from your typical 1500 or a fully-electric 1500 REV won't exactly be an easy task, as the range-extended truck combines elements from both the gas and electric trucks just as it mixes together their mechanical bits. The front end largely carries over from the latest gas-powered 1500, but features a distinctive lighting signature that flows into the grille on more expensive trims. The rear, meanwhile, mimics the REV with its flashy taillights that almost connect to form a lightbar, but just aren't quite there yet. On both ends of the Ramcharger, you'll find a pair of illuminated Ram badges that have been created exclusively for the brand's electrified models.
The cabin is much more consistent, but that's because the gas and electric 1500 models share identical interiors. In front of the driver, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while the center stack is dominated by either a 12- or 14.5-inch infotainment display. In case you don't want your front passenger to feel left out, you can opt for a 10.25-inch front passenger display, and a digital rearview mirror is optional as well. Other options that don't involve screens include a bed-mounted RamBox, which is weatherproof, lockable, and has integrated lights, and a 23-speaker Klipsch premium sound system for audiophiles.
Those who really want to splurge can opt for the range-topping Tungsten trim, which was first introduced in the latest gas-only 1500. The lengthy features roster is nearly identical, which means you'll find two-tone quilted leather upholstery, a suede-wrapped headliner, metal pedals, diamond knurling, and a crystal-like shifter. It also pampers front occupants with a 24-way power adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging quilted leather seats with four-way power headrests. Top-end models also come with a host of fancy driver assistance features, including the semi-autonomous Hands-Free Highway Assist system, which functions similarly to GM's Super Cruise and Ford's BlueCruise.
Pricing details will be revealed later, but a complicated powertrain like this probably won't be cheap. Those who want to get their hands on a Ramcharger now can pre-order their example for a limited time. Ram still has yet to tell us when we can expect the extended-range truck to officially hit the road, but the latest version of the fully gas-powered 1500 is expected in early 2024.
Would you choose this over a fully electric truck?
Image Credits: Ram
Revealed
Nov 11, 2023
•
Ram 1500 Ramcharger Is An Electric Truck That Uses A V6 Engine To Power Its Battery
The unique pickup delivers a class-leading 690 miles of range, and can tow up to 14,000 lbs.
Ram wants to solve all your EV gripes with the new 1500 Ramcharger, which uses none other than a combustion engine to push the battery to deliver a segment-crushing 690 miles of range. While it's nothing like the last truck to use the Ramcharger badge, this range-extended pickup serves as a more practical alternative to the battery-only 1500 REV.
While the Ramcharger does combine an engine with a battery and a set of electric motors, it's not a hybrid. That's because the 3.6 liter V6 engine serves as a generator to recharge the battery, providing more juice to push the truck for longer than a typical EV could travel on a single charge, which could make this a sort of reverse hybrid. Interestingly, the V6 only works with the battery, and does not touch the wheels or motors in any way. The truck's all-wheel drive powertrain uses the V6 to power a large 92 kWh battery pack, while the wheels are powered by dual electric motors. This setup delivers a healthy 663 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, which surpasses the fully electric REV in terms of horsepower but slips behind in terms of torque. Meanwhile, its brisk 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph from a standstill matches the REV exactly.
Unsurprisingly, the V6 allows the Ramcharger to blow other electric trucks out of the water in terms of range, as it can travel up to 690 miles on a single charge. And luckily, owners won't have to go searching for charging stations just to wait for half an hour or more, as the Ramcharger gets its juice from your good old gas station. The engine also makes the Ramcharger more competent when it comes to real truck chores, as it's capable of towing up to 14,000 lbs, which beats all electric trucks save for the matching REV. However, the backup engine ensures that the truck will haul your stuff in conditions that would otherwise diminish its electric range. The Ramcharger also leads the pack with a payload capacity of 2,625 lbs.
The Ramcharger rides on a new STLA Frame platform, which is another way of referring to your typical body-on-frame construction. Other benefits with this architecture include an electric drive module in front that uses an automatic disconnect, allowing the front wheels to spin freely for improved efficiency. Meanwhile, the rear electric drive module comes with an electronically-locking rear differential. The Ramcharger also uses a multi-link rear suspension, along with a four-corner air suspension with five available modes. Some of these modes include one that lowers the truck for easier ingress and egress, and of course there's a mode suited to off-roading that raises the Ramcharger's ground clearance.
Like most other trucks these days, gas or electric, the Ramcharger features an onboard power system that enables bi-directional charging with up to 7.2 kW of available power. And for when you'd rather hook your pickup up to an electric charger instead of a gas station, the Ramcharger supports DC fast charging of up to 145 kW, which can add about 50 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes.
Visually setting a Ramcharger apart from your typical 1500 or a fully-electric 1500 REV won't exactly be an easy task, as the range-extended truck combines elements from both the gas and electric trucks just as it mixes together their mechanical bits. The front end largely carries over from the latest gas-powered 1500, but features a distinctive lighting signature that flows into the grille on more expensive trims. The rear, meanwhile, mimics the REV with its flashy taillights that almost connect to form a lightbar, but just aren't quite there yet. On both ends of the Ramcharger, you'll find a pair of illuminated Ram badges that have been created exclusively for the brand's electrified models.
The cabin is much more consistent, but that's because the gas and electric 1500 models share identical interiors. In front of the driver, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while the center stack is dominated by either a 12- or 14.5-inch infotainment display. In case you don't want your front passenger to feel left out, you can opt for a 10.25-inch front passenger display, and a digital rearview mirror is optional as well. Other options that don't involve screens include a bed-mounted RamBox, which is weatherproof, lockable, and has integrated lights, and a 23-speaker Klipsch premium sound system for audiophiles.
Those who really want to splurge can opt for the range-topping Tungsten trim, which was first introduced in the latest gas-only 1500. The lengthy features roster is nearly identical, which means you'll find two-tone quilted leather upholstery, a suede-wrapped headliner, metal pedals, diamond knurling, and a crystal-like shifter. It also pampers front occupants with a 24-way power adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging quilted leather seats with four-way power headrests. Top-end models also come with a host of fancy driver assistance features, including the semi-autonomous Hands-Free Highway Assist system, which functions similarly to GM's Super Cruise and Ford's BlueCruise.
Pricing details will be revealed later, but a complicated powertrain like this probably won't be cheap. Those who want to get their hands on a Ramcharger now can pre-order their example for a limited time. Ram still has yet to tell us when we can expect the extended-range truck to officially hit the road, but the latest version of the fully gas-powered 1500 is expected in early 2024.
Would you choose this over a fully electric truck?
Image Credits: Ram
