2025 Ramcharger

We all knew this was coming. Think it's a smart approach in this insane EV environment.

2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger Avoids the Range Anxiety of EV Trucks

It basically covers the same distance as a Ford Powerboost....4 years after the fact. Brilliant.

Looks like it retains the 3.6 gas motor for backup generator and obviously plug-in.
So I wonder if it acts like a locomotive in the gas over electric scenario? I can get behind that, that tech is old and super well known.

The key thing for me is efficiency. I’m curious if it will consume basically the same amount of energy as straight gas. If its the same, what is the point, other than optics.(Although the power numbers do look healthy compared to gas)

Stats are pretty strong:
690 mile range (I’m assuming 2/3rd of that is running gas over electric)
663hp
615tq
4.4 0-60
2625 lbs payload
14,000 towing

The ford lightning has a 98kWh battery for its 230 mile range and this truck has a 92kWh battery, so maybe 200mile range battery only?

This is crazy guys. They're calling this an EV with gas generator... it operates the same as Ford's Powerboost Hybrid. lol

13COBRA said:

This is crazy guys. They're calling this an EV with gas generator... it operates the same as Ford's Powerboost Hybrid. lol

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I hear you! Then I guess Ford needs to step it up with the Powerboost? Its only 430hp/570tq.
I guess the difference is Powerboost is ICE centric where the Ramcharger is battery centric?(1.5kWh vs 92kWh)

andymarkv said:

I hear you! Then I guess Ford needs to step it up with the Powerboost? Its only 430hp/570tq.
I guess the difference is Powerboost is ICE centric where the Ramcharger is battery centric?(1.5kWh vs 92kWh)

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Correct.

The hp is calculated differently. Hook a trailer to them both, the Powerboost will outpull the Ramcharger.

Meh.

Insult after injury is Ram will want $200k for it im sure.

13COBRA said:

This is crazy guys. They're calling this an EV with gas generator... it operates the same as Ford's Powerboost Hybrid. lol

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Does the powerboost's engine drive the wheels, or generator only?

But can they do what Chuck's Ram Charger could do.

13COBRA said:

This is crazy guys. They're calling this an EV with gas generator... it operates the same as Ford's Powerboost Hybrid. lol

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Is it really the same? I think the engine in the ram does not directly power the wheels. It supplies power to the electric motor which powers the wheels. I don't know if this is what Ford does.

5.0 Hatch said:

Is it really the same? I think the engine in the ram does not directly power the wheels. It supplies power to the electric motor which powers the wheels. I don't know if this is what Ford does.

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That was my understanding. There is no automatic transmission, and the ICE is not mechanically connected to the drive-train in any way.

The estimated ranges for the two look to be almost identical, just accomplish it two different ways.

GTSpartan said:

That was my understanding. There is no automatic transmission, and the ICE is not mechanically connected to the drive-train in any way.

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Thanks for the clarification. I'm no engineer but this seems like a simple solution.

The old Chevy Volt had this configuration like 15 yrs ago.

I wonder what the curb weight of this beast is?

Guys, its like a diesel electric locomotive. The V6 is not connected to anything other than the electrical system.

ETA: they're able to have the V6 run at peak efficiency RPM to generate electricity. The electric motors turn the wheels. This should be vastly more efficient than having the V6 directly run a drivetrain.

It has a ~70 kWh battery, which is decent sized. For comparison, the Powerboost has a 1.5, Lightning, 98, and Silverado EV 200.

I'd guess 6-7K curb weight.

Pribilof said:

Guys, its like a diesel electric locomotive. The V6 is not connected to anything other than the electrical system.

ETA: they're able to have the V6 run at peak efficiency RPM to generate electricity. The electric motors turn the wheels. This should be vastly more efficient than having the V6 directly run a drivetrain.

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So... Nothing like Ford's power boost. Lol

Pribilof said:

ETA: they're able to have the V6 run at peak efficiency RPM to generate electricity. The electric motors turn the wheels. This should be vastly more efficient than having the V6 directly run a drivetrain.

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At steady state operation (highway driving) its most efficient for the engine to drive the wheels directly. The efficiency gains of hybrids come from stop and go traffic, heavy acceleration or low loads. Using a motor to then power a generator which then turns a motor is in effect stacking multiple losses together.

If what you were saying was true i could add an alternator to the wheels on a tesla to charge the battery which would allow the car to self power itself, effectively an free energy hack. That doesnt work LOL

It will still be banned along with all the other ICE. Still parking a lithium bomb in your garage.

Pribilof said:

Guys, its like a diesel electric locomotive. The V6 is not connected to anything other than the electrical system.

ETA: they're able to have the V6 run at peak efficiency RPM to generate electricity. The electric motors turn the wheels. This should be vastly more efficient than having the V6 directly run a drivetrain.

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Not having a transmission is one of the most significant advantages. An ICE driving a generator at an ideal constant rpm and load vs. running through an efficiency sapping gear box.

Locomotives have been using this for years as the most efficienct means to move cargo. It's proven and old school for sure. Nothing is perfect