What is the 2025 Ramcharger and Why it is Creating so Much Demand

As I reported earlier this week, Ram announced it is pushing back the launch of its Ram 1500 REV BEV and opting instead to launch its 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger first.

When Ram made the stunning announcement about the 2025  Ram 1500 Ramcharger it said “The decision to launch Ramcharger first was driven by overwhelming consumer interest, maintaining a competitive advantage in the technology and slowing industry demand for half-ton BEV pickups.” The Ramcharger promises incredible range and innovative technology. With range projected at nearly 700 miles, its could be the electrified vehicle that skeptics are waiting for.

The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger

As I reported last month, Newsweek named the Ramcharger as one of America’s Most Anticipated Vehicles for 2025. Technically, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a hybrid of sorts. It has a gas-powered engine, but that is never to drive the vehicle. The gas engine will only recharge the electric motors.

The all-new battery-electric vehicle technology is expected to deliver the industry’s best combination of range, towing and payload. With a targeted range of up to 690 miles, the truck is capable of producing 663 horsepower and 615 lb.-ft. of torque. The truck will do 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The towing will be a huge draw, it is capable of towing up to 14,000 lbs. with a payload of up to 2,625 pounds.

Newsweek says this about the Ramcharger,

“The Ram 1500 Ramcharger splits the difference between an all-electric truck like the Ford F-150 Lightning and a gas-powered model like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Its plug-in hybrid electric powertrain allows the model to use gasoline to power the truck's battery-electric system. This means owners can drive a truck with zero emissions most of the time but have a built-in range extender engine that allows long-distance travel and towing without anxiety traditionally caused by an all-electric powertrain. Interested buyers can put their name on the waitlist for the all-electric Ram REV 1500 or Ram 1500 Ramcharger by purchasing a $100 Ram REV Insider+ membership. The cost of the Ramcharger is expected to be announced closer to its on-sale date.”

Why the 2025 Ramcharger is So Different

“With unlimited battery-electric range, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger is the pinnacle of the light-duty pickup truck segment and the ultimate electric truck,” said Tim Kuniskis, Ram brand CEO – Stellantis. “The new Ramcharger is a beast of a light duty – 663 horsepower, 615 lb.-ft. of torque, 4-second 0-60 mph, 14,000 lbs. of towing… and zero need for a public charger.”

The Ramcharger has all of the power without the need for frequent stops to recharge. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger runs on a 92 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, paired with an on-board 130 kW generator, sending power to 250-kilowatt (kW) front and 238 kW rear electric drive modules (EDMs). Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-home bi-directional charging affords the Ram 1500 Ramcharger the flexibility to charge another Stellantis battery-electric vehicle or provide power back to the grid.

The Ramcharger is also capable of powering a home during a storm, running power to the tailgate party or providing power at a jobsite. An onboard power panel in the bed can provide up to 7.2 kW.

What the Ramcharger’s Gas Engine Does

The EDMs combine the motor, gearbox and inverter along with all-wheel-drive capability. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger features one EDM on the front axle with an automatic wheel-end disconnect that allows the front wheels to spin freely in certain conditions, maximizing efficiency. The second EDM is positioned on the rear axle with an available electronic-locking rear differential.

According to Ram, “Power flows in sequence from the 3.6-liter V-6 engine to the on-board 130-kW generator. The engine generates mechanical power that is converted to electrical power by the generator. The electrical power can be used to charge the battery when the battery is depleted or if the driver wants to preserve the battery power. It can also be applied to the high-voltage bus where the EDMs can use the generator electrical power plus the battery electrical power to provide maximum power to the wheels.”

The gas engine never provides power directly to the truck’s wheels or propels the truck. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is adapted for the specific mission of powering the onboard generator.

The Ramcharger’s battery is located under the floor in the center of the truck and maintains a flat floor. Ram offers customers a quick and convenient recharging solution with the ability to add up to 5 miles of all-electric range a minute with 400-volt DC fast charging at up to 175 kW.

Ram isn’t saying exactly when we will see the Ramcharger, many expect it to launch in the first part of 2025.

Ram Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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