While all other American carmakers – including Tesla – have already released their full-electric full-size trucks, Ram is still lagging behind in the race. But a fully electric Ram 1500 is underway. Called the REV, it promises up to 500 miles of range and a 350-kW DC fast-charging rate from its 800-volt architecture while boasting a 14,000-pound towing rating.
While Ram had originally announced that its full-electric full-sizer would arrive in 2025, it just released a statement saying that these plans have been pushed back to 2026 instead. According to the carmaker, there is currently more demand for the equally impressive Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which preserves an internal combustion engine (ICE) as a way to extend the truck’s range. What this effectively means is that it’s the
that will be sold first.
The Ramcharger’s Gas Engine Doesn’t Power The Wheels
The idea behind the Ramcharger isn’t exactly a bad one, and it will allow Ram to be alone in that space. In practice, it’s an electric vehicle (EV) that, unlike a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), doesn’t use the ICE to power the truck. Instead, the gas engine acts as a 130-kW generator that’s capable of sending up to 190 kW of electricity back into the battery. There’s therefore no transmission and no mechanical connection between the ICE and the wheels.
In other words, the Ramcharger operates like a hybrid, but backwards. The main source of propulsion is electric, while the ICE acts as a complementary technology to assist the EV stuff.
The main ICE in this case is Stellantis’ tried and proven, 3.6-liter, Pentastar V-6, while the traction battery is a liquid-cooled, lithium-ion, 92-kWh unit. It powers two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors for all-wheel drive. The front motor is good for 250 kW, while the rear one pumps out 238 kW. This translates into a combined output of 663 horsepower and “over” 615 pound-feet of torque, Ram says. DC fast-charging, towing, and even payload (2,625 pounds) are all identical to what the fully electric REV model will offer.
It’s Arriving In 2025 With Up To 690 Miles Of Range
The obvious benefit of such a setup is the increased range. Ram promises up to 690 miles once the battery is fully charged and the fuel tank is topped off. That’s a very impressive number, more than what any other EV currently on sale can cover. This should help convince the EV skeptics who are holding back due to range anxiety, but as EVs evolve and public infrastructure improves, that fear is becoming a thing of the past.
Ram says the 2025 Ramcharger will be open for customer orders in the first half of 2025, followed by the launch of the fully electric REV next year. Both models will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, in Michigan. However, pricing and exact availability are still unknown. Ram says it’ll release that information closer to the Ramcharger’s launch. We’ll circle back here with more information once we have it.
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