Ramcharger 2025: an electric truck with a generator

Just like Ford and General Motors, RAM is about to enter the market of 100% electric pickup trucks. The brand has already presented its RAM REV. However, what the American manufacturer is currently proposing is a truck powered by electricity but equipped with a combustion engine that acts as a generator.

Although it can't be proven, it is believed that Ford's recent financial difficulties with the F-150 Lightning prompted Chevrolet and GMC to delay the launch of their electric truck. On the other hand, RAM has opted for a different solution by introducing an electric RAM powered by a thermal generator.

This concept is not new, as the Chevrolet Volt used the same technology. It was a car that was highly appreciated during its time in the industry. The combustion engine helped completely eliminate the concept of range anxiety regarding electric autonomy. I am among those who believe that we have transitioned too quickly to electric and that solutions like the Ramcharger are much more viable in the medium term.

A thermal engine

The Ramcharger 2025 is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that is not physically connected to the wheels. It only acts as a generator when needed. Instead, it's the two electric motors of 250 and 238 kilowatts that propel the vehicle. When combined, this results in a total power of 663 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, far exceeding any gasoline-powered RAM except for the RAM TRX. The Ramcharger 2025 is capable of reaching 0 to 97 km/h in less than 4.4 seconds and towing a load of up to 14,000 pounds. Its payload capacity is also very high at 2,625 pounds. However, the most impressive feature of the American manufacturer's truck is its range, estimated at 1,110 kilometers according to RAM's initial estimates.

In practice, the concept of the Ramcharger 2025 resembles that of a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which makes it equally intriguing. However, the electric autonomy of the model without the generator's intervention is not yet known. In any case, it's a model that is eagerly anticipated and could pose a significant challenge to Ford and General Motors. Who knows, perhaps it will encourage other manufacturers to take the same direction.

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier