Ram Targets EV Market with Innovative Ramcharger
Ram is placing a significant wager on the future of electric vehicles with the upcoming Ram 1500 Ramcharger.
This Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) is designed to provide a compelling alternative to both fully electric and gas-powered trucks.
During a recent trip to China, Ford CEO Jim Farley discovered a vehicle concept that he believes addresses some of the challenges in the EV market. Farley found that consumers were hesitant to fully embrace EVs due to limited range and higher prices compared to gas-powered vehicles.
EREVs, as Farley observed, combine an electric motor with a gas engine that acts as a generator. This hybrid approach offers the benefits of an EV with the extended range and convenience of a gas-powered vehicle.
According to Automotive News, Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis is banking on this novel approach to appeal to a broad range of consumers. The Ramcharger features an electric motor and a V6 engine, designed to extend the vehicle’s range.
Kuniskis emphasizes the importance of providing options. “I’m really, really glad that we have options,” he said. “We have — either really smartly or luckily — developed what I think is a game-changing alternative to what’s going on in the marketplace right now.”
The Ramcharger’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers a robust 654 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, according to Ram. It boasts a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 2,625 pounds. The vehicle’s combined range is an impressive 690 miles, significantly enhanced by its 27-gallon fuel tank and V6 generator. Without the gasoline generator, the Ramcharger has a range of 145 miles.
Kuniskis believes the Ramcharger is well-positioned for the current regulatory landscape, which he describes as “3D chess.” He refers to the Ramcharger as the “Goldilocks truck” because it offers a balance of features that caters to diverse consumer preferences; it’s the right solution for the widest group of customers.
Ram anticipates the Ramcharger’s arrival at dealerships in the second half of 2025, with an expected price slightly higher than the average pickup truck.
However, the Ramcharger will face tough competition. The Ford F-series, the top-selling truck in the U.S., includes a hybrid version that accounts for a significant portion of its sales. According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, 20 to 25% of F-150 pickups are hybrids, and the hybrid versions of the F-150 and the compact Maverick are key to Ford’s hybrid offerings.
Ford plans to offer hybrid versions of all its North American models by 2030. “Thanks to the company’s leadership in hybrids for more than 20 years, we’re really well-positioned,” Farley stated. “Our hybrid lineup is going to get stronger and stronger in ’25 and ’26.””
