Is Ram’s 2025 Ramcharger the revol-ute-ion we’ve been waiting for?

The 2025 Ramcharger represents the first series hybrid from Stellantis or, as the global automotive conglomerate dubs it, a Range-Extended Electric Truck.

It is designed to addresses three major concerns among electric ute owners: Range anxiety, towing and hauling practicality, and charging when away from base.

The Ramcharger’s petrol engine takes a different approach compared to the parallel systems commonly found in hybrids, where the engine directly powers the wheels.

Instead, it employs a 130kW naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 that drives a generator that either charges the battery, or working in tandem with the battery to supply electricity to the front and rear drive modules, each of which houses an inverter, gearbox, and motor responsible for driving the wheels.

The resulting combined output is 494kW and 834Nm, which Ram claims is sufficient for a 0-100km/h dash of around 4.5 seconds.

Stellantis chief engineer for the STLA frame propulsion system Joe Tolkacz stressed the importance of towing tests in shaping the development of the Ramcharger.

In a conversation with Automotive News, Mr Tolkacz emphasised how these tests influenced the design and capabilities of the vehicle. 

”We took one of our competitor’s trucks and loaded it up to their towing rate. Then we took it from Auburn Hills, Michigan, to Flint and back [a total of about 122km], and we didn’t make it. We had to stop and charge. We said we really need to do something to extend the capability.”

In meeting this requirement, the Ramcharger features a best-in-class towing capacity of 6350kg as well as a class-leading payload of 1190kg.

The voluminous 102-litre fuel tank and electric SUV-sized 92kWh battery pack enable the Ramcharger to travel an estimated 1100km between fill-ups.

It literally goes a long way toward eliminating range anxiety while meeting the towing and hauling capabilities demanded by ute buyers. 

However, at about 11.8L/100km when operating in hybrid mode, the system is thirstier than a Ford F-150 hybrid.

Unlike the Ford but like a regular battery electric ute, the Ramcharger can be plugged in and charged.

A 145kW DC fast charging capability can add approximately 80km of range in 10 minutes and provide an unladen range of 233km, offering a unique combination of flexibility best suited when running the vehicle in town or when not towing, as most charge stations are not trailer friendly.

Additionally, bi-directional charging and an onboard power system are capable of supplying up to 7.2kW of juice via the Ramcharger’s electrical outlets when stationary, ideal for powering tools, lighting, heaters, and even vehicle-to-vehicle charging.

Although the presence of a combustion engine may deter those seeking zero tailpipe emissions, the Ramcharger does something that other electric vehicles cannot: Tow and haul without the need to depend on charging infrastructure networks when away from base. 

According to industry experts, the Ramcharger has the potential to cater to a broader range of users compared to the all-electric Ram 1500 REV, as buyers take various factors into consideration when transitioning away from traditional powertrains, such as the substantial reduction in cradle-to-grave emissions compared to petrol and diesel-engined utes.

On the downside, series hybrids come with increased complexity due to the maintenance requirements of both an internal combustion engine and electric driveline.

Although no official pricing yet exists, a significant premium is expected for this high-tech ute on its all-new platform, which may or may not start paying back in terms of fuel savings depending on how it is utilised.

Whether the Ramcharger paves the way for a revolutionised ute market will only become clear with time.