When isn’t an electric truck really an electric truck? When a truck has something in it that takes away from its all electrical characteristics. The new EV provides an important advantage to the electric truck market. It will include the new electric Ram truck, but it won’t be part of the standard package. What does this mean for the electric truck market?
How can a range extender give the Ram 1500 EV an edge over other electric trucks?
One of the most common complaints about electric cars is their range. When the range reaches low points, drivers start looking for a charging station or hope they can make it home to a home charger set up in the garage. We call this phenomenon scope anxiety.
Report confirmation of this new feature from Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. A range extender will be offered as an option for this electric pickup truck to eliminate range anxiety while helping to reduce EV range loss while towing.
What is an electric vehicle range extender?
The range extender is a small internal combustion engine that sends power to electric vehicle batteries. These engines act as a generator to increase driving range and are not used as a power source to drive the vehicle.
How can a range extender help the Ram 1500 EV while towing?
Electric trucks lose a lot of their driving range. Adding a range extender to the Ram 1500 EV can reduce this loss. The range extender can operate while towing, sending power to the EV’s batteries to maintain greater driving range while hauling a heavy load.
Can Ram deliver on its promise with this new electric truck?
Last March, Carlos Tavares made a bold statement regarding the new Ram 1500 EV and the advantages it could have in the market. His statement is:
The Ram 1500 EV will hit the hot pickup market in 2024. According to our internal performance benchmark, the Ram 1500 will outperform all competitors in attributes that customers are most concerned about: range, towing, payload, and charge time. Exciting! Built on top of the new STLA chassis, specially designed for electric vehicles. Without a doubt, we will bring the best electric truck to the full-size segment!” – Carlos Tavares, from
Those are some strong words when contrasted with the current Ford F-150 Lightning, which has a payload of 2,235 pounds and a tow of 10,000 pounds. The Ram will also need to outperform the new Chevrolet Silverado EV, which can carry 1,300 pounds of payload and tow up to 20,000 pounds. Will the Ram 1500 EV be up to the task?
Final thought: Is the Ram 1500 EV with Range Extender a cheat?
The gas-powered engine, even a small engine used only as a range extender, changes the Ram 1500 EV’s characteristics. At best, with this feature added, the Ram 1500 becomes a hybrid, not an EV. Some might argue this point, but not all electric cars have gas-powered engines.
On the other hand, Ram isn’t the only brand considered a gas-powered range extender. Ford has had plans for one in the F-150 Lightning since 2020.
Then, check out or learn more about the new Ram 1500 EV in this video below:
