According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, he discovered a unique solution for the challenging EV landscape during a 10-day trip to China. The solution is one he found to be very compatible with how Americans drive.
As efficient as they are, EVs have been a hard sell for Americans. Their limited range and high price tag compared to gas-powered models have been barriers to entry for some traditional auto buyers.
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However, in China, Farley was made aware of a vehicle that combined the best attributes of both gas and electric cars — EREVs or Extended Range Electric Vehicles. In basic terms, these are fully electric vehicles that also contain a gas engine that acts as a generator to charge the batteries whenever needed. Such a solution, he argues, can be an efficient solution at an attractive price for consumers.
"EREVs in the U.S. could be 120 miles of all-electric, and they drive like EVs," Farley said. "They don't drive like combustion engine vehicles, so you get an EV, and you have 700 miles of range. You don't have range anxiety for a long trip. You don't have to rely on any charges. And those vehicles have half the batteries, so they're very profitable."
Stellantis
Ram Trucks CEO is betting on the "Goldilocks truck"
According to Automotive News, Ram Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis is hedging on the launch of a novel product to help navigate the jungles of consumer demand and the trials brought on by the changing regulatory environment.
That product is the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, an EREV by the Stellantis-owned brand (STLA) containing an electric motor and a gas-powered V6 engine that acts as a range-extending generator.
According to Kuniskis, the Ramcharger's place in the lineup helps the brand diversify its offerings instead of forcing customers to choose between a fully electric truck and a gas-guzzling one.
"I'm really, really glad that we have options," Kuniskis said. "[...]We have — either really smartly or luckily — developed what I think is a game-changing alternative to what's going on in the marketplace right now."
Related: Stellantis' new electric pickup provides a cure for range anxiety
According to Ram, the Ramcharger's dual-motor all-wheel-drive system provides plenty of power for "truck stuff," as its electric motors deliver 654 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. In addition, the Ramcharger can tow up to 14,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of up to 2,625 pounds in its bed.
Unlike most EVs, the Ramcharger has a claimed 690 miles of total range, in large part due to the V6-powered generator that is fueled by a 27-gallon fuel tank. As just an EV, the Ramcharger only gets 145 miles of range. Ram says you never have to plug in the Ramcharger, as its V6 can be as the only power source for its battery.
Kuniskis argues that this solution is best for navigating the tough regulatory environment regarding cars and electrification; a place he described to AN as "3D chess," noting that different strings are being pulled by different people when it should solely be the consumer.
"That’s why I call this the Goldilocks truck because it’s got a little bit of everything in there. And it makes it easier to have the right answer depending on who the person is because whoever you ask, it’s a different answer of what that perfect truck is going to be going forward," he said.
More Business of EVs:
- EV market share hits record high
- Mercedes is leading a massive overhaul of its EV business
- Tesla VP shares critical update on long overdue EV
Ram is up against tough competition
Ram anticipates the Ramcharger to arrive at dealers in the second half of 2025, with an asking price that Kuniskis says will be"slightly more" than the average pickup truck.
However, it will be up against tough competition. The bestselling truck — in fact, vehicle — in the United States is the Ford F-series pickup truck, and according to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the hybrid version of the pickup (which is more mechanically akin to a Toyota Prius than a Ramcharger) accounts for much of its F-series sales.
During Ford's annual shareholders meeting, the Ford CEO said that 20 to 25% of F-150 pickups being produced are hybrids, and that it and the compact maverick pickup are key players in its hybrid offerings.
By 2030, it wants to offer hybrid versions of all models in its North American lineup.
"Thanks to the company's leadership in hybrids for more than 20 years, we're really well-positioned," Farley said. "Our hybrid lineup is going to get stronger and stronger in '25 and '26."
Stellantis NV is traded as STLA on the New York Stock Exchange.
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