Ram showcases electric bakkie with built-in petrol generator to charge battery

Stellantis NV’s Ram truck brand is now offering a solution to range anxiety that leans into its petrol-powered roots, which is a battery-powered pickup with an on-board petrol generator to boost range and towing capacity.

The Ramcharger, meant to launch in the market at the end of 2024, is tailored for truck enthusiasts who worry about running out of battery power when towing heavy loads like boats or trailers, particularly in adverse conditions such as cold winter days when electric vehicle range tends to decrease. It’s important to note that Stellantis emphasizes that the Ramcharger is not a hybrid, as the three-liter petrol engine is solely responsible for recharging the lithium-ion battery and doesn’t directly power the wheels.

When the generator comes into play, the Ramcharger’s range increases significantly, extending from 145 miles (233 km) to as much as 690 miles (1,110 km). This surpasses the range of electric trucks like General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Silverado and Ford Motor Co.’s F-150 Lightning, while also offering superior towing capacity. It nearly doubles the range compared to the all-electric Ram Revolution pickup, which is expected to debut late next year.

These electrified Ram models represent a catch-up effort by Stellantis, formed through the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA, as the company trailed behind global competitors in the electric vehicle race. Their introduction coincides with Ford and GM scaling back their electric vehicle investments due to shifting demand dynamics.

Industry expert Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst with Guidehouse Insights, believes that despite being late to the electric vehicle game, the Ramcharger presents a valuable solution for many customers. He notes that electric vehicles are not the right fit for everyone, and the Ramcharger addresses concerns about range without being a fully electric vehicle.

Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram who assumed the position in July and also leads the Dodge muscle-car brand, has set ambitious targets for electric Ram sales, aiming for them to comprise over 20% of the company’s offerings. Currently, electric vehicles account for only around 8% of total US vehicle sales, but Kuniskis expects a significant uptick once infrastructure and a broader selection of electric vehicles become available. The Ramcharger serves as a transitional option for loyal Ram customers who are accustomed to traditional petrol-powered pickups and may be hesitant to embrace fully electric trucks.