New 2025 Ram and Ramcharger PHEV Hybrid revealed

[Joel]

Biggest difference is the oil is a consumable, the minerals used for the batteries is in the neighborhood of 98% recyclable so what they are mining today will be used for decades.

Right recyclable. But the strip mining has long lasting and so far permanent damage to the earth.

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[Joel]

Totally agree. Hopefully we can make mining more environmentally friendly with time. Oil is a limited resource and even if no one cared about the environmental impact eventually we have to switch to another power source.

As is lithium. There are numerous articles now calling lithium the new oil. One way companies ares extracting this resource is through pumping brine into the earth to extract the lithium. This process has been directly compared to extracting oil from shale rock. So how is it different. Oil companies through many technologies are also learning and improving in their craft to make it more efficient.

I will also state we are a family with 3 electric cars a hybrid and one gas., and 2 diesel. To me the only car company that is currently being mostly honest with the public on the impact of EV and all things car is Volvo. Everyone else just glosses over it. Germans are mad at Tesla because of the extreme water usage that is required to make batteries. batteries have a ways to go and it seems organic growth and progress is best vs pushing everyone into an EV.

 

[izgoy]

When history is written, the Ramcharger will be viewed as one of the dumbest ideas that did not sell. If you think otherwise you're wrong. Or high. Or both.

Yeah? Read up on Li L9 and see how it’s the dumbest idea that doesn’t sell.

 

[vandy1981]

Right recyclable. But the strip mining has long lasting and so far permanent damage to the earth.

This image has been used in hundreds of anti-EV memes and is actually a gold mining operation in Australia.

I'm somewhat sympathetic to your argument, but at least use an actual lithium mine in your Scary Lithium Mining posts. Otherwise, it looks like more false propaganda.

 

[Dark-Fx]

When history is written, the Ramcharger will be viewed as one of the dumbest ideas that did not sell. If you think otherwise you're wrong. Or high. Or both.

95% of your driving is going to be on Electric if you can charge at home or your workplace, and you won't need to think about where to stop to charge on a trip. With the way so many people are complaining about infrastructure right now, it's a baby step in the right direction. Folks that buy them will realize that owning an EV is a viable option for them, especially as a second vehicle.

Maybe there will be people that buy these and never plug them in. There were some Volts that were treated that way. Those people will be missing out on one of the best aspects of an EV though.

I don't think Rivian should even consider offering anything non-battery, but they don't have to.

 

[LoneStar]

I struggle with all the EV-purists that seem oblivious to the obvious. A setup like the Ramcharger will be a full-time EV for every day that its driven below 100 miles or so, as long as the owner can recharge it on L2 daily (or every couple of days depending on daily distance). Ask yourself how many of the past 30 days did you drive more than 100 miles. For me it randomly happens to be 3.

Now, you take that same capable truck and want to do a get-away with your boat or trailer and that's where the onboard generator really pays-off. Let's say the same rule-of-thumb applies and you get a >50% drop in range. So now you can tow long distances of around 250 miles if you want to wring it dry. BUT why would you do that? Drive say 200 miles and fill-up the gas tank in 5 minutes and be on your way again... Drive any road in any direction without having to tie your trip planner to the nearest L3 charger (praying it works when you get there).

Then get to your destination, let's say you really go for it off-grid in the middle of nowhere. No big deal. Just arrive with say a half tank of gas at least and you have virtually "unlimited" power for your camp setup and toys.

I get it. And I plan to get it!

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Watching that video and knowing I have a thousand mile trip next weekend its the first time I wish I had something besides my R1. I still like my truck more its more sports oriented but for travel this thing would be great.

 

[Redline]

This image has been used in hundreds of anti-EV memes and is actually a gold mining operation in Australia.

I'm somewhat sympathetic to your argument, but at least use an actual lithium mine in your Scary Lithium Mining posts. Otherwise, it looks like more false propaganda.

Social media has melted the brains of so many people.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

95% of your driving is going to be on Electric if you can charge at home or your workplace, and you won't need to think about where to stop to charge on a trip. With the way so many people are complaining about infrastructure right now, it's a baby step in the right direction. Folks that buy them will realize that owning an EV is a viable option for them, especially as a second vehicle.

Maybe there will be people that buy these and never plug them in. There were some Volts that were treated that way. Those people will be missing out on one of the best aspects of an EV though.

I don't think Rivian should even consider offering anything non-battery, but they don't have to.

I was being a bit flippant but I do believe what I said. Interestingly, I believe this argument you make for why it might sell, is one of the main reasons why I think it won't.

 

[Milermore]

I know that's a hype video, but I think it does look pretty good.
Better than what I've seen from Ford or GM.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

This image has been used in hundreds of anti-EV memes and is actually a gold mining operation in Australia.

I'm somewhat sympathetic to your argument, but at least use an actual lithium mine in your Scary Lithium Mining posts. Otherwise, it looks like more false propaganda.

I’m sympathetic to the argument as well but that argument is still cutting down the forest to spite the trees. The impact is still tiny compared to the oil industry.

Also, lithium extraction is still using a very old technique. There wasn’t any money in improving it. Now there is and new tech is coming quick. The idea is to get more lithium with less effort and impact.

And don’t get me started on extracting lithium from seawater. That’s coming.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Back on the RamCharger (ugh, I hate the use of that name).

I generally like where this is going. It’s a bridge technology. I do think Ram needs to offer this with a smaller battery. It seems they are pushing this only in the highest trim levels for now but I hope it gets down to the Laramie or lower trims. Maybe give us a half sized battery. .

I’m curious to see what the actual MPGe ends up being.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I was being a bit flippant but I do believe what I said. Interestingly, I believe this argument you make for why it might sell is one of the main reasons why I think it won't.

I'd have to disagree with you. I think you aren't considering the perspectives of the EV hesitant buyer. In your view, mine also, having the gasoline engine overcomplicates the vehicle and adds cost and complexity without gaining anything over a pure BEV. You don't see Level 3 charging as an impediment to EVs. Most people hesitant to buy a BEV are afraid of fast charging as it is learning something new. Chargers are also limited, and this solution addresses the above demographics.

 

[vandy1981]

I generally like where this is going. It’s a bridge technology. I do think Ram needs to offer this with a smaller battery. It seems they are pushing this only in the highest trim levels for now but I hope it gets down to the Laramie or lower trims. Maybe give us a half sized battery.

I agree--it makes sense to offer a smaller battery at some point. Most commutes are less than 50 miles, so the giant battery is overkill for day-to-day use.

It's possible that they would need to lower the kW output with a smaller battery which would effect 0-60 and towing ratings. I think that's a reasonable trade off, especially if that increases payload capacity. A Ramcharger would be a killer truck camper platform and you'd be able to get a nicely outfitted camper with a 2500+ pound payload, even with a short bed.

 

[Ecupip]

Sorry if this has been said already, I haven't read through all 10 pages.

When you look at the numbers, I don't see why anyone would want a Ramcharger. 540 miles on 27 gallons of gas is 20MPG. Add the 96KW/150 mile range of the battery and you'd be lucky to come out at 23MPG. Grant you might be able to daily drive off the grid daily, but with the added price, complexity, and maintenance costs I don't see it making good sense.

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