How Electric Ram Trucks Will Go Up To 690 Miles, Some of Them Towing 14,000 Pounds!

How Electric Ram Trucks Will Go Up To 690 Miles, Some of Them Towing 14,000 Pounds!​

Story by Frank Markus
3 min read

More specifics on how STLA Frame architecture manages to accommodate batteries, range-extenders, or fuel cells to go (and tow) the distance.​

Range is the new “mine’s bigger” superlative everybody’s chasing in the electrified truck realm, and Stellantis has swung big with the Ram 1500 REV (500 miles), the range-extender Ram 1500 Ramcharger, (690 miles) and their forthcoming siblings, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. A recent official unveiling of STLA Frame filled in more specific details about this new architecture’s greater capabilities.



STLA Frame Technical Highlights© Frank Markus

Big Numbers: 14,000; 2,700; and 24​

Those are the towing, payload, and (perhaps most pertinent for the Jeeps) water fording depth (in pounds and inches) statistics for the new STLA Frame architecture. Those are amazing numbers for an independently suspended truck, which the electrically driven REV and Ramcharger most certainly are. Two feet of water fording seems to be about standard, but the trailering and payload figures soundly trump those of the Silverado EV work truck and Ford F-150 Lightning, which top out at 12,500 pounds/1,750 pounds and 10,000/2,000. No curb-weight information has been shared for the Ram yet, but that payload figure suggests this steel truck will have a higher GVWR than either its GM or Ford competitors.

Three STLA Frames​

Stellantis provided three images of body-less frames rushing down a computerized highway, and zooming in on the STLA Frame ICE (internal combustion, pictured below) variant reveals a completely different frame that kicks up to accommodate a traditional live rear axle. It also features unique upper spring mounts and clearly shows the traditional Ram five-link rear live-axle setup. (This variant will trail the others to market, and presumably share the same or better payload and trailering stats.) Electrically powered variants all feature standard two-motor all-wheel drive, with axle-shaft disconnects at the front axle and an electric locker in the rear as standard.



STLA Frame ICE© Frank Markus

How Big?​

The latest release sets out the parameters of maximum body size dimensions the STLA Frame architecture can support.

• Length range: 216.0–234.0 inches
• Width range: 81.2–83.6 inches
• Wheelbase range: 123.7–145.3 inches
• Ground clearance range: 6.6–10.3 inches
• Maximum tire diameter: 33 inches

That suggests STLA Frame is not ideal for scaling down to suit a midsize truck but could potentially scale up for heavy-duty service. This architecture absolutely will underpin a range of pickups, SUVs, and commercial vehicles with battery packs ranging in size from 159 to more than 200 kWh. A full-length belly pan smooths airflow under the vehicle to maximize range.

Quick-Charging Stats
As we’ve noted previously, wiring the subdivided 400-volt battery modules in series permits 800-volt charging at up to 350 kW, which is said to add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Ramcharger models and Jeeps fitted with the internal-combustion generator (it never turns the wheels) get smaller battery packs that charge at 400 volts, with a peak charging speed of 175 kW. All will be capable of bi-directional charging, to power job sites, campsites, buddy-charge another EV, or to power a home.

Future-Proofed Architecture​

As with STLA Medium and STLA Large, STLA Frame architecture can easily support substitution of emerging battery chemistries and formats, or new technologies to improve the (Stellantis-designed and -produced) electric drive modules or power inverters, and of course its software will be upgradable over the architecture’s useful lifetime. And if the future of quick long-haul driving ends up demanding hydrogen fuel-cell technology, STLA Frame can accommodate the required high-pressure tanks as well.

On-Sale Date​

The launch of the Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S on the STLA Large platform have taken a bit longer than expected, but STLA Frame is still expected to launch in the first half of 2025, with the Ramcharger following at an unspecified later date, with pricing to follow closer to that date.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...S&cvid=4365d11368084ae7be722927c25c01c8&ei=60

 

[chri5k]

Actually, the loco is totally different, as it uses no batteries. Straight diesel gen to motor concept. This is a hybrid which motors actually run off batteries and the diesel gen (and braking regen) keeps them charged. Concept is nothing new, as hybrids been around along time.

Basically a Pryus on steroids.

Where did you find this info? I read the release in the first post and it makes no mention of it. I checked Stellantis' website and still no mention of frame that has an ICE, generator and no battery pack. An automotive website mentioned the ICE version would have a transmission and drive line like a conventional truck. The only thing I have found details on with an ICE is the Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV). The frame still has a battery pack and electric motors to drive the wheels. The battery pack can be charged by a plugin charger or the ICE drives a generator to extend range.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Everyone claims great range. Let's see it when put to the test.

40 years ago, I owned an automotive repair shop. I had employed a technician who was very, very good at his skill. A gentleman came in with a 1978 or so Pontiac Trans Am equipped with the 403 cubic inch Olds motor (this was a factory installed engine).

He was a very neatly dressed guy with a gingham checked shirt, and pressed and starched blue jeans. The car was show quality immaculate. He asked how much money I would charge him to rebuild the Q-jet carburetor. I told him, and he left the car for the service that HE asked for. (This was my "AHA" moment that has taught me a lesson I've NEVER forgotten, and it forever changed how I respond when a customer asks me to perform a particular repair, sans diagnostics)

My technician and I noticed that the carb was leaking at the gaskets, and concluded that was why this priggish individual wanted the carb rebuilt. So, with that impetus, my technician rebuilt the carb.

The customer came in, paid the bill and drove off in his car.... He returned about a week later and complained that the car "still hesitated", stating that the hesitation was why he brought the car in the first place. Hmm... yeah, sure.

So, I drove the car with the customer in the passenger seat, and felt an almost imperceptible lag when the throttle was punched suddenly to the floor, as he related that this was where the hesitation occurred.

He left the car and my technician came into my office and informed me that the EGR valve was bad. So, we replaced the EGR valve, and the hesitation was fixed.

Three weeks later, said customer comes in and is furious. He was getting only about 12-13 MPG, and the car had been getting 21 MPG before we "worked on it". My technician, who was from the back woods of Mississippi, in his most distinctive drawl said, and I quote:
Mister, I ain't callin' you a liar, but that car couldn't get 21 MPG coming down a mountain with a tailwind"! The customer got infuriated and left!

Well, this customer had observed my "BBB" sign and contacted them and filed a complaint against my establishment. He was angrier that my tech called him out than the fact that THAT car was NEVER EPA rated and anywhere NEAR 21 mpg. I answered the complaint with a rebuttal, and later on, he filed a complaint with the AG's office. After I answered the AG inquiry, I was notified that the matter was closed.

I have NEVER since just quoted a job based upon a price inquiry. I either get diagnostics time, or I refuse service to the customer.
I also learned to have a conversation about expectations. Had this customer and I HAD that kind of discovery conversation, I'd have had to send him down the road.

Perhaps the claim of 690 miles on a charge includes going downhill from high upon the Sierra Nevadas with a tailwind!
I'm also wary of guys who wear starched, ironed blue jeans!

 

[Sherman Bird]

OOPS!

 

[Yardbird]

All the post here wondering how the New Ram Charger 1500 will get up to 690 miles must not have read or understood the information on this truck. It is not an EV like the junkie Ford Lighting it is a gas electric truck with the Pentastar V6 mounted under the hood which will be there to do nothing but power the generator which sends the juice to the electric motors that run the wheels. The only thing you will have to do is stop at a standard gas station to fill up with gas instead of looking for a electric charging station. The truck has over 600 lb torque and around 600 hp . It will operate like a Diesel Locomotive train does where the Diesel engine powers the generator.

My thing is, I can get around 600 miles from a tank of gas. Why would I want to spend a lot of extra money for a complicated system that will have multiple problems, if not right away, it will down the road.

Stellantis can't get E-Torque to work right consistently, how are they going to get this complicated mess to operate correctly over an extended period.

 

[Sherman Bird]

My thing is, I can get around 600 miles from a tank of gas. Why would I want to spend a lot of extra money for a complicated system that will have multiple problems, if not right away, it will down the road.

Stellantis can't get E-Torque to work right consistently, how are they going to get this complicated mess to operate correctly over an extended period.

Many years ago, I saw a cartoon in a magazine. This was during the time when CNG was a fringe tech just beginning to bloom. In the cartoon the man and wife were out of fuel WAY out in the boonies. The hapless man, holding the empty gas cylinder standing outside the car is admonished by his angry wife "Well, Mr. Ecology! Where are you going to find a place to get fuel out here?"!

 

[Dusty]

Haha yeah I don't think the clean future is so clean. Between coal and diesel the more we plug in the more we demand of those power sources. Not to mention if everyone owned an electric car and plugged it in at the same time how the antiquated power grid would take it. I'm assuming fires would be very common like in Thailand.

Our local power company is already on record of saying the current plan to fully upgrade the grid is (+/-) 18 years.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 123229 miles.

 

[Jas34]

Where did you find this info? I read the release in the first post and it makes no mention of it. I checked Stellantis' website and still no mention of frame that has an ICE, generator and no battery pack. An automotive website mentioned the ICE version would have a transmission and drive line like a conventional truck. The only thing I have found details on with an ICE is the Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV). The frame still has a battery pack and electric motors to drive the wheels. The battery pack can be charged by a plugin charger or the ICE drives a generator to extend range.

Here ya go:

Meet The New Ram 1500 Ramcharger Pickup And Its Range Extender BEFORE Ram Builds It!

( https://www.weigh-safe.com/TFL ) Check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches! ( https://www.allTFL.com ) Check out our new spot to find ALL o...

www.youtube.com

As far as why someone would want one? 663 HP, 615 lb ft torque, max payload 2625 lbs (that's not a misprint), 0-60 in 4.4 sec. The range spec is likely pretty close, at least as close as mpg specs can be. It would require starting with a full charge and a full tank of gas. No need to stop at chargers on a trip. Just fill it with gas and run the 3.6L generator.

What you might miss...that hemi sound that increases when you stomp on the accelerator.

Stellantis doesn't call this a hybrid. I think they like to call it an electric vehicle. Kinda weird as it has a pretty large gas generator under the hood. But I guess technically it isn't since the gas engine doesn't drive the wheels directly. Symantics.

Are they going to be dependable? Who knows. Ram is building them. I've owned 2 Hyundai hybrid cars. Liked them both a lot and never had any issues with them. Couldn't catch me dead in a Prius, though.

 

[chri5k]

Here ya go:

Meet The New Ram 1500 Ramcharger Pickup And Its Range Extender BEFORE Ram Builds It!

( https://www.weigh-safe.com/TFL ) Check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches! ( https://www.allTFL.com ) Check out our new spot to find ALL o...

www.youtube.com

As far as why someone would want one? 663 HP, 615 lb ft torque, max payload 2625 lbs (that's not a misprint), 0-60 in 4.4 sec. The range spec is likely pretty close, at least as close as mpg specs can be. It would require starting with a full charge and a full tank of gas. No need to stop at chargers on a trip. Just fill it with gas and run the 3.6L generator.

What you might miss...that hemi sound that increases when you stomp on the accelerator.

Stellantis doesn't call this a hybrid. I think they like to call it an electric vehicle. Kinda weird as it has a pretty large gas generator under the hood. But I guess technically it isn't since the gas engine doesn't drive the wheels directly. Symantics.

Are they going to be dependable? Who knows. Ram is building them. I've owned 2 Hyundai hybrid cars. Liked them both a lot and never had any issues with them. Couldn't catch me dead in a Prius, though.

That is not what DA Smith described as being like a locomotive where the ICE drives the generator that drives the wheels with no battery. It is a hybrid just like a Prius. it has a battery pack that can be charged by a charging station or the ICE/Generator that helps it extend the range. It is what is call a Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV).

 

[turkeybird56]

OOPS!

Delete

 

[NCRaineman]

The biggest obstacle is PRICE. Who the hell is going to buy these? The electric Silverado is like $75k or some nonsense. Are banks going to start offering 20 year auto loans?

 

[GTyankee]

I have come to realize a couple of things

Europe has been pushing EVs for several years & EV Owners are still finding Fast Charging Stations with signs hanging on them.
Printed on those Signs in Bold Letters
OUT OF ORDER
They usually have a few Slow Chargers that work & people waiting in Line

We are far behind Europe with Charging Stations

We have not bought the needed Land for the Charging Stations
If Land Owners are Smart, they will let out 99 Year Leases to who ever wants to build Charging Stations, just like those landowners who are Leasing their land out to Cell Tower Companies, they are getting nice checks every month.

Over in Europe, there are companies that have pickup trucks & trailered Generators

there are APPs for EV vehicle accidents

EVR | Emergency Response Guides

Bootstrap App Landing Template

autorescueapp.com

Trailered Generators

Voltstack Mobile EV Charger - Portable Electric

The Voltstack Mobile EV Charger can accommodate Level 2 and Level 3 DC charging and can be used across a full-range of electric vehicle needs.

portable-electric.com

AAA has some of these

EV Out Of Juice? AAA's Mobile Charger Will Come To The Rescue | Carscoops

AAA's solution for dead electric vehicles? A Ford F-350 with a generator

www.carscoops.com

Emergency Tool for EVs involved in an Incident

An EV Device for First Responders: Emergency Plug Demonstration

Paul visits the Southfield Fire Department with Patrick from StacheD Training to learn about a device that allows first responders to safely approach and han...

www.youtube.com

EV JUMP PAK ?

â¡ï¸ Roadie Portable + Rivian R1T Charging Demo â¡ï¸

This modular solution empowers your business with the flexibility to create a customized EV charging system that precisely matches your requirements. With ad...

www.youtube.com

30 minute charge, allows you to drive 30 miles

If you live away from major towns, you could supply EV Power

 

[Sherman Bird]

I have come to realize a couple of things

Europe has been pushing EVs for several years & EV Owners are still finding Fast Charging Stations with signs hanging on them.
Printed on those Signs in Bold Letters
OUT OF ORDER
They usually have a few Slow Chargers that work & people waiting in Line

We are far behind Europe with Charging Stations

We have not bought the needed Land for the Charging Stations
If Land Owners are Smart, they will let out 99 Year Leases to who ever wants to build Charging Stations, just like those landowners who are Leasing their land out to Cell Tower Companies, they are getting nice checks every month.

Over in Europe, there are companies that have pickup trucks & trailered Generators

there are APPs for EV vehicle accidents

EVR | Emergency Response Guides

Bootstrap App Landing Template

autorescueapp.com

Trailered Generators

Voltstack Mobile EV Charger - Portable Electric

The Voltstack Mobile EV Charger can accommodate Level 2 and Level 3 DC charging and can be used across a full-range of electric vehicle needs.

portable-electric.com

AAA has some of these

EV Out Of Juice? AAA's Mobile Charger Will Come To The Rescue | Carscoops

AAA's solution for dead electric vehicles? A Ford F-350 with a generator

www.carscoops.com

Emergency Tool for EVs involved in an Incident

An EV Device for First Responders: Emergency Plug Demonstration

Paul visits the Southfield Fire Department with Patrick from StacheD Training to learn about a device that allows first responders to safely approach and han...

www.youtube.com

EV JUMP PAK ?

â¡ï¸ Roadie Portable + Rivian R1T Charging Demo â¡ï¸

This modular solution empowers your business with the flexibility to create a customized EV charging system that precisely matches your requirements. With ad...

www.youtube.com

30 minute charge, allows you to drive 30 miles

If you live away from major towns, you could supply EV Power

Aw! C'mon! EV's are NOT the long term solution. Basic economics 101... You CANNOT SPEND your way to frugality!

 

[GTyankee]

It may not be the Long Term solution

But, if any of us can afford a Generator, there is a chance to make some $$$$

People with EVs will need Emergency Assistance, such as a truck with a Generator, instead of a Hook

 

[CanRebel]

Here ya go:

Meet The New Ram 1500 Ramcharger Pickup And Its Range Extender BEFORE Ram Builds It!

( https://www.weigh-safe.com/TFL ) Check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches! ( https://www.allTFL.com ) Check out our new spot to find ALL o...

www.youtube.com

As far as why someone would want one? 663 HP, 615 lb ft torque, max payload 2625 lbs (that's not a misprint), 0-60 in 4.4 sec. The range spec is likely pretty close, at least as close as mpg specs can be. It would require starting with a full charge and a full tank of gas. No need to stop at chargers on a trip. Just fill it with gas and run the 3.6L generator.

What you might miss...that hemi sound that increases when you stomp on the accelerator.

Stellantis doesn't call this a hybrid. I think they like to call it an electric vehicle. Kinda weird as it has a pretty large gas generator under the hood. But I guess technically it isn't since the gas engine doesn't drive the wheels directly. Symantics.

Are they going to be dependable? Who knows. Ram is building them. I've owned 2 Hyundai hybrid cars. Liked them both a lot and never had any issues with them. Couldn't catch me dead in a Prius, though.

I might look at buying one. These have been around in EU for while. Price kind of a factor. I could drive in the "EV" Lane while filling up with gas.

Also I wonder how the weather is going affect it vs true EV. I know bunch of people with Telsa's, they drive them in winter here. They own big houses with heated garages, so cold isn't really affecting them all that much.

 

[Sherman Bird]

It may not be the Long Term solution

But, if any of us can afford a Generator, there is a chance to make some $$$$

People with EVs will need Emergency Assistance, such as a truck with a Generator, instead of a Hook

I would extrapolate that a fella had best use an inverter generator on an EV car. Just a SWAG!

 

[turkeybird56]

The biggest obstacle is PRICE. Who the hell is going to buy these? The electric Silverado is like $75k or some nonsense. Are banks going to start offering 20 year auto loans?

Bank offer me thing if Consumer willing to sign on dotted line. I would never go beyond 60 month loan. Only go bigger if I was planning on getting rebates etc than either refinancing or paying off. When I bought my 2019 after trade in and rebates I put $12,500 on credit card and drove away owner. Just moved monies around and paid card off. U know there are some rebates u kinda got to finance thru dealer or FCA to get but the trick is to turn around and pay off immediately. The only thing I would ever buy on a long term note is property/home. But that is just me.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Bank offer me thing if Consumer willing to sign on dotted line. I would never go beyond 60 month loan. Only go bigger if I was planning on getting rebates etc than either refinancing or paying off. When I bought my 2019 after trade in and rebates I put $12,500 on credit card and drove away owner. Just moved monies around and paid card off. U know there are some rebates u kinda got to finance thru dealer or FCA to get but the trick is to turn around and pay off immediately. The only thing I would ever buy on a long term note is property/home. But that is just me.

I did that very thing on my last new car purchase.... a 2008 F-150 Lariat. Sticker was mid 40's $.. I traded in 2 cars, applied the factory rebates totaling 14,000 dollars, and drove off owing 14,995.00 to Ford Motor Credit, which I refinanced soon thereafter with my credit union and paid off quickly.