Once seen as the wave of the future, EVs have started to miss some key sales goals over the last couple of years. While automotive consulting firm JD Power initially predicted that EVs would come to represent 12% of the market by the end of 2024, the company has since revised its forecast to a more modest 9%. The segment has certainly made some impressive gains over the last decade (and is still slated to comprise 36% of the US market by 2030), but concerns around price, range, capability, and charging infrastructure have led many automakers to scale back their EV plans in favor of hybrid models and even traditional gas-powered vehicles. Ford recently reneged on some of its more ambitious EV plans, canceling a planned three-row all-electric SUV and delaying the release of a new battery-powered version of the F-150.
These sorts of headlines might seem discouraging, but while the market for EVs has continued to cool, hybrids have made some noticeable gains. Ford and Toyota have both found success in these half-gas/half-electric models, which offer a more efficient alternative to pure internal combustion without many of the disadvantages that come with an all-electric powertrain. The same goes for Ram: While this truck-only brand had planned to make its EV debut with the all-electric Ram REV, shifting market conditions have seen it call an audible to prioritize the production of a new version of the Ram 1500 that defies categorization. Slated to arrive at your local Ram dealer in 2025, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger falls somewhere between a hybrid and EV, employing two electric motors, a large battery pack, and, most notably, a 3.6-liter V6 engine.
This sort of setup would traditionally see the Ramcharger classified as a hybrid, except for the fact that the V6 engine is solely reserved for topping off the battery pack. This technically qualifies the pickup as a plug-in hybrid, but since the engine is only used to charge the battery and isn’t responsible for actually turning the wheels, the correct designation would be “plug-in series hybrid.” It’s a unique and powerful setup that allows the Ramcharger to churn out up to 663 horsepower while avoiding many of the shortcomings of EVs and could well represent an exciting new angle in the pickup segment. But does the Ram 1500 Ramcharger provide a new path for pickups, or is it just a placeholder for the Ram REV? Let’s dive in and see if this intriguing new pickup has what it takes to move the needle in the rapidly evolving segment…
The Return of the Ramcharger
First, we should address the Ram 1500 Ramcharger’s lineage. Dodge did produce a full-size Dodge Ramcharger SUV in the 1970s and ’80s that was designed to compete with the Ford Bronco and Chevy K5 Blazer, but the new hybrid/EV has little in common with this distant relative save for its 4WD ability. While this might be confusing for some automotive history buffs, it’s easy to see why Ram couldn’t help but revive the high-voltage Ramcharger name for its new gas/electric chimera.
The Ramcharger is built on the same STLA Frame platform as the upcoming Ram 1500 REV, which will be the brand’s first all-electric pickup when it hits the market in 2026. The new platform is eight inches wider than that of the traditional Ram 1500 in order to accommodate the Ramcharger’s 92-kWh battery, which is noticeably smaller than the 168-to-229-kWh pack that will be offered with the Ram REV. While the all-electric Ram will be powered by two electric motors, the Ramcharger adds a gas-powered V6 to the mix (solely to charge the motors), improving the truck’s versatility and making it more practical for those who live in areas that currently lack adequate charging infrastructure.
This setup will reportedly give the Ramcharger 663 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque, with the half-gas/half-electric approach offering some real advantages in terms of utility. In addition to its clever electric components, the Ramcharger will feature some of the most beloved features of the classic Ram 1500, including the double-wishbone front suspension, fully independent multi-link rear suspension, adaptive dampers, and air springs. The latter will come in particularly handy when traveling at high speeds, allowing the Ramcharger to sit lower to the ground in order to create a more aerodynamic profile as well as improve access to the cabin.
The Advantage of Hybrid Tech
While some of today’s all-electric pickups can offer up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque, they’re not really that reliable when it comes to towing. Sure, they can pull a heavy load, but as soon as you attach a trailer, camper, or other cargo, the range tends to plummet. Many EV pickups will sacrifice at least half of their range when the trailer hitch is loaded down, but Ram has managed to engineer around that issue with its novel hybrid approach that allows the Ramcharger to tow up to 14,000 lbs and provide a max payload capacity of 2,625 lbs. When the juice starts to run low, the Ramcharger can enter a “charge sustaining” mode that sees the V6 kick into action as a generator; this is similar to the approach used by diesel-electric locomotives, which have truly mastered the art of towing.
The Ramcharger’s range provides one of the clearest examples of the inherent advantages of the plug-in hybrid approach. When running solely on battery power, this pickup offers a range of 145 miles; that’s certainly not bad and should be adequate for those seeking a reliable daily driver or commuter vehicle, but it’s well below the current EV average of 300 miles and could be a bit limiting on longer road trips or demanding applications. That’s where the V6 engine comes in: With the help of a bit of gas power, the Ramcharger can get up to 690 miles of total range.
If you do manage to drain the battery, the pickup can add up to 50 miles of range in just ten minutes thanks to its DC Fast Charging ability, though a quick visit to the gas pump offers an even faster solution. The Ramcharger is designed with two drive modes that give drivers the opportunity to tailor the truck to their needs. Those looking to preserve their gasoline can opt to have the pickup run on battery power until the V6 is needed or continually run the engine to charge the battery as they mosey down the road.
It’s Still a Ram at Heart
Unlike some hybrid and all-electric models, the Ramcharger isn’t all that different from its gas-powered forerunner; this allows the Ramcharger to blend in with the pickup pack while still offering some marked advantages in terms of efficiency and power. The Ramcharger sports unique lights, eight-lug wheel hubs, and, of course, the requisite charging port, but aside from these details, drivers might have a hard time picking the hybrid out of a lineup. This trend continues on the interior, where the Ramcharger is virtually identical to the Ram 1500’s range-topping Limited trim. The cabin boasts an impressive slate of luxury features, from a suede-wrapped headliner and heated and ventilated leather seats with an optional massage feature to an available 23-speaker Klipsch audio system with a 12-inch subwoofer.
This cutting-edge hybrid model is unsurprisingly heavy on the interior tech, boasting two wireless device charging pads, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12- or 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an available 10.3-inch passenger display that riders can use to mirror the feed from their phone, tablet, or handheld gaming console. The crew cab also provides plenty of room to stretch out, while the 5.5-foot cargo bed offers plenty of storage for whatever cargo you might be hauling.
The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger
The Ramcharger could provide a helpful roadmap for brands looking to weather the current slowdown in EV sales. All-electric pickups currently represent just 8% of the market, and while that number is sure to rise as EV technology continues to improve, plug-in hybrids like the Ram 1500 Ramcharger seem like a more practical solution for the time being. Between its impressive range, ample towing ability, opulent cabin, and a long list of heavy-duty components, the Ramcharger doesn’t seem to have any obvious weak points.
The Ram 1500 Ramcharger is charting a new course in the hybrid market with its unusual plug-in series hybrid approach, though whether it’s just a temporary stopgap or the truck of the future remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: it’ll be the only battery-powered Ram on offer until at least 2026, as the automaker has pushed the debut all-electric Ram 1500 REV out another calendar year.
