Report Claims Ram 1500 EV Pickup Will Come With a Range Extender

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Ram is well behind the ball on the all-electric front. The GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Rivian R1T are all expected to be on sale well before the Ram 1500 EV. We've seen all of these vehicles, in one form or another, while Ram is still busy drawing concepts. By the time the Ram 1500 EV arrives in 2024, some options will have a three-year head start. It's going to need a few tricks up its sleeve if it wants to be taken seriously.

Ram Looking For Feedback

At the Chicago Auto Show, Ram did just that. The first thing Ram came out with is called RamRevolution.com. It's a program that allows fans of Ram's trucks to provide some feedback and input on what Ram should do with the upcoming 2024 Ram 1500 EV. The automaker is taking input on everything from the way the pickup truck should look to features. The new program was accompanied by a few teaser images of what the electric pickup truck could look like.

"Our new Ram Revolution campaign will allow us to engage with consumers in a close and personal way, so we can gather meaningful feedback, understand their wants and needs and address their concerns -- ultimately allowing us to deliver the best electric pickup truck on the market with the Ram 1500 BEV," said Mike Koval Jr., CEO of Ram.

Additionally, there's a new "Ram Real Talk Tour" that will be along the lines of an automotive town hall for current Ram owners to talk to designers and engineers that build the vehicles. There, owners will be able to provide direct feedback to the people that actually build the vehicles to influence future models.

Possible Range Extender Coming

While all of this news may draw some current Ram owners in, it's not enough to go up against the likes of Ford, GMC, Chevrolet, or Rivian. When speaking with EV Pulse, Koval Jr. stated that the Ram 1500 EV would be available with a "class shattering" range extender version. The CEO didn't go into details on what a range extender would look like or mean. In other vehicles, a range extender is a small onboard engine that uses gasoline or fuel to charge the battery. In some applications, the onboard engine is solely used to charge the battery, while in others, it can lend a helping hand to route power to the wheels.

A range extender makes plenty of sense for an electric pickup truck. Full-size pickup trucks like the Ram 1500 appeal to consumers because of their impressive towing capacity. Range takes a massive hit when towing large cargo with an electric pickup. A range extender would help the truck have a usable amount of range when towing. At the moment, most automakers are having trouble getting 300 miles of range out of their vehicles. A range extender would certainly give the Ram 1500 EV an edge in the range department.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods