Electric Vehicles

[Capricio]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

I personally think the RAMCHARGER changes the game some.

I think I read the pre-orders for the new Scout are like 75% Hybrid EREV. Nobody wants pure BEV. Not sure how much the upcharge is, but I bet it isn't cheap. This is one of the few use cases so far that demonstrates when given an option, people will take it.

Scout Motors has seen a significant preference for its Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) option, known as the “Harvester,” among pre-order customers. According to data from a dedicated Scout forum, as much as 80% of pre-orders are for the EREV version, which includes a gasoline engine that recharges the battery, offering up to 500 miles of range. This preference is attributed to the range anxiety concerns among potential buyers and the lack of widespread charging infrastructure across the United States. The EREV option seems to be resonating well with consumers, as indicated by the high number of pre-orders for this version compared to the all-electric model.

It'd be even more telling if there was an option for a small block V-8, except it'd be a million dollar upcharge to pay for carbon credits to Elan.

[FarmerFran]

So if we are keeping score...

The 2025 Ram Ramcharger has 141 miles of electric range, plus it has a range-extending gasoline engine that brings its total range to 690 miles, which beats every other electric truck.

That is about 26MPG pretty damn good for a truck and you can increase that with intermittent charging with no fear of running out of charge.

Not magical but not bad.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

So if we are keeping score...

The 2025 Ram Ramcharger has 141 miles of electric range, plus it has a range-extending gasoline engine that brings its total range to 690 miles, which beats every other electric truck.

That is about 26MPG pretty damn good for a truck and you can increase that with intermittent charging with no fear of running out of charge.

Not magical but not bad.

Yup. But I think the more important thing is that the engine generator can keep the battery at an optimal state of charge while towing and allow it to tow heavy loads for hundreds of miles. And during that time it can refill at gas pumps instead of charging stations. Best of both worlds. I’d be shocked (pun intended) if GM and Ford didn’t follow the same path.

[Capricio]

Curious to hear more specs on these Range Extending ICEs. Displacement, fuel capacity, etc? do they only run at one RPM for max torque?

Also interested to see how well they extend a heavy towing trip if/when battery charge is getting depleted faster than the onboard recharge rate.

[detamble13]

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president calls for an end to the mandated 100% EV sales by 2035.

https://torontosun.com/news/national...hicle-mandates

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Capricio

Curious to hear more specs on these Range Extending ICEs. Displacement, fuel capacity, etc? do they only run at one RPM for max torque?

Also interested to see how well they extend a heavy towing trip if/when battery charge is getting depleted faster than the onboard recharge rate.

The Ramcharger will have (2) 250 kW electric motors, one on each axle, drawing a combined 663 hp. Torque is 615 lb-ft.

Towing is rated at 14,000 lbs and 2,625 lb payload.

The engine generator is a 3.6L PentaStar V6. It is NOT connected to the wheels. Notice in the picture below that between the battery and the gas tank you can see the carpet in the empty space. What you cannot see is a prop shaft, because there isn’t one.

The engine generator will not run at one speed. That would make for some really bad droning noise. It will operate within a narrow rpm band, optimized for efficiency. The point of the engine generator is to keep the battery within an optimal state of charge (SoC) range in order to provide the best towing performance and range. The fuel will most likely run low before the battery SoC runs low, so you would be able to drive to any gas station that can accommodate a truck towing a trailer and refill the gas tank.

The battery is a 92 kWh lithium ion. The fuel tank capacity is 27 gallons. Estimated total range is 690 miles.

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

The Ramcharger will have (2) 250 kW electric motors, one on each axle, drawing a combined 663 hp. Torque is 615 lb-ft.

Towing is rated at 14,000 lbs and 2,625 lb payload.

The engine generator is a 3.6L PentaStar V6. It is NOT connected to the wheels. Notice in the picture below that between the battery and the gas tank you can see the carpet in the empty space. What you cannot see is a prop shaft, because there isn’t one.

The engine generator will not run at one speed. That would make for some really bad droning noise. It will operate within a narrow rpm band, optimized for efficiency. The point of the engine generator is to keep the battery within an optimal state of charge (SoC) range in order to provide the best towing performance and range. The fuel will most likely run low before the battery SoC runs low, so you would be able to drive to any gas station that can accommodate a truck towing a trailer and refill the gas tank.

The battery is a 92 kWh lithium ion. The fuel tank capacity is 27 gallons. Estimated total range is 690 miles.

Amazing! A modern version of diesel locomotive and submarine drivetrain tech. This actually has connections to steam powered/electric subs from the late 19th century. Very cool. What's old is new again!

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

The Ramcharger will have (2) 250 kW electric motors, one on each axle, drawing a combined 663 hp. Torque is 615 lb-ft.

Towing is rated at 14,000 lbs and 2,625 lb payload.

The engine generator is a 3.6L PentaStar V6. It is NOT connected to the wheels. Notice in the picture below that between the battery and the gas tank you can see the carpet in the empty space. What you cannot see is a prop shaft, because there isn’t one.

The engine generator will not run at one speed. That would make for some really bad droning noise. It will operate within a narrow rpm band, optimized for efficiency. The point of the engine generator is to keep the battery within an optimal state of charge (SoC) range in order to provide the best towing performance and range. The fuel will most likely run low before the battery SoC runs low, so you would be able to drive to any gas station that can accommodate a truck towing a trailer and refill the gas tank.

The battery is a 92 kWh lithium ion. The fuel tank capacity is 27 gallons. Estimated total range is 690 miles.

Seems awful complicated compared to good ole ICE driving a transmission “old school style.” It’s better than full electric but still not remotely close to something I’d be Interested in owning.

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Seems awful complicated compared to good ole ICE driving a transmission “old school style.” It’s better than full electric but still not remotely close to something I’d be Interested in owning.

I am kind of on the fence here...

ASSUMING!!! yes assuming the engineering is correct.

Think of a diesel engine, the reason it lasts so long is the slow rotating mass. And electric cars are fixing to run 10 years+

So a Low rotating mass gas engine with electric power output could last a long time. Again, assuming the engineering is on par.

[Capricio]

I wonder if they have built in some capacity for the ICE to heat up the batteries? Like routing the coolant to a heater core underneath the skateboard tray?

Living in places like AK other cold climates, think of situations like leaving your car in long term parking at the airport, flying back arriving at midnight with -30 F temps outside and your EV batteries are useless until you warm them up. You know, stuff CA regulators never consider having to deal with. "Flyover country" issues.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Capricio

I wonder if they have built in some capacity for the ICE to heat up the batteries? Like routing the coolant to a heater core underneath the skateboard tray?

Living in places like AK other cold climates, think of situations like leaving your car in long term parking at the airport, flying back arriving at midnight with -30 F temps outside and your EV batteries are useless until you warm them up. You know, stuff CA regulators never consider having to deal with. "Flyover country" issues.

Two thoughts on this...

1. Batteries tend to have their own thermal management systems.
2. In the picture, right around the blue card that says "02"...you can see the engine's exhaust routed right alongside the battery.

[FarmerFran]

I do not have the link handy but...
Stellantis has shelved the RAM REV Long Range (full electric truck) due to the Ramcharger. They have stated that they are re-evaluating the electrification plan.

The Standard range REV is still a go.

[Rnovrit]

This is a great idea. Though isn't this just a Chevy Volt all over again?

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Rnovrit

This is a great idea. Though isn't this just a Chevy Volt all over again?

Yes and no. Same technology, different focus.

The point of the Volt was to drive on electric until it couldn’t. Then the range extender would kick in to put charge in the battery to keep the car going until you could get to the next charge. There were other circumstances that would force the engine to start.

The point of the Ramcharger is to keep the battery at a high state of charge so that the truck can maintain maximum towing capacity for a longer time.

The point of the Volt was to keep the engine off as much as possible. The point of the Ramcharger is to run the engine more often.