RIP RAM BEV

[RLXXI]

When Tesla was coming out with the cyber truck, their version of a range extender was just a battery pack that fit in the bed (I think it was about half of the bed length and height)and I assume it could be taken out?
I think that would be a great idea, for those occasions when you need it!

Was canceled for various reasons namely too expensive, takes up half the entire bed space, did I mention expensive? lol.

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[Firn]

makes me wonder - does the 3.7L engine have enough power to run a 60kW generator?

My comments are not support of the gas-electric drivetrain, just noting that range entension doesn't have to mean unlimited range.
For big trailers I perfer the "idea" of the trailer having it's own battery and motor set up.

But the issue still comes back to the one we face right now - Charging infrastructure was not built with trucks and trailers in mind. Now 100,000 charging stations across N.America need to morph to accomodate. Going to take time.

Yes, 70kw is just over 90hp.

When Tesla was coming out with the cyber truck, their version of a range extender was just a battery pack that fit in the bed (I think it was about half of the bed length and height)and I assume it could be taken out?
I think that would be a great idea, for those occasions when you need it!

It was a $16,000 accessory that had to be installed and removed at a Tesla service center.

 

[Joe Dablock]

The cancellation of RAM EV is bad for EVs in general. I believe it is the result of negative political pressure that has been present for anything that doesn’t use fossil fuel. I personally was a MOPAR supporter and finally gave up waiting and bought my 23 Lightning to replace my 2007 RAM 2500 and 2012 Town and Country. I couldn’t use a 3/4 ton as a daily driver but the Lightning can do 90 percent of both the RAM and van.

P.S. I bought a 22MME the year before. My very first Ford!

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

The 18kW Generac whole home genset I have uses a 1.0L v twin engine, basically a motorcycle engine.

Some generators are 'rated' as stand-by-duty (for back up energy only) while other (more expensive, and efficient) generators are rated as Primary-power, ie designed to run long periods of time instead of occational back-up power units.

As we know, a dedicated 60kW generator in industry is typically a very large disel unit. Far too big to fit in a pick up truck. So I wonder, what would an engine and generator combination look like, that would fit in the Ram pickup plateform?

If our Lightning trucks just had a charging recepticle in the bed as an option {are you listening Ford Motor Co} - some programing to allow: Seperate battery pack auxillary power/generator (your own or dedicated Ford Product)
-you can own or rent or barrow from a buddy...It would open up new options for EV truck use, trailer towing, long back-woods fishing trip stuff.

To my thinking: it makes no sense to drive around every day with the weight (and cost) of a range extender system that you really only need occationally.
But having a dedicated bed receptical that a separate battery can supply or a generator can supply while you are driving - that would be interesting and useful option at low cost.

 

[Firn]

We also need to not forget that something like the 2.7l v6 is capable of driving a full size pickup, and capable of driving a full size pickup with a trailer.

The onboard generator does not need to be larger than one that is already capable of doing the job.

In truth it can be much smaller than a "normal" engine size as it no longer has to provide the peak power output for acceleration, and there are some benefits from regenerative capabilities. All it needs to do is meet the long term average, not the peak output.

 

[hturnerfamily]

correct, the 'generator' engine will simply be running at a SET output speed, with no vacillating, since there is no need to do anything but create a CONSTANT output.

with the new Harvester SCOUT's rear mounted engine generator, this 'sound' will be at the rear of the vehicle, which will contribute to even LESS noise while driving : )

 

[RLXXI]

Some generators are 'rated' as stand-by-duty (for back up energy only) while other (more expensive, and efficient) generators are rated as Primary-power, ie designed to run long periods of time instead of occational back-up power units.

As we know, a dedicated 60kW generator in industry is typically a very large disel unit. Far too big to fit in a pick up truck. So I wonder, what would an engine and generator combination look like, that would fit in the Ram pickup plateform?

If our Lightning trucks just had a charging recepticle in the bed as an option {are you listening Ford Motor Co} - some programing to allow: Seperate battery pack auxillary power/generator (your own or dedicated Ford Product)
-you can own or rent or barrow from a buddy...It would open up new options for EV truck use, trailer towing, long back-woods fishing trip stuff.

To my thinking: it makes no sense to drive around every day with the weight (and cost) of a range extender system that you really only need occationally.
But having a dedicated bed receptical that a separate battery can supply or a generator can supply while you are driving - that would be interesting and useful option at low cost.

I have no thoughts on the subject, just answering the question with an example.

 

[Wendy]

I just wanted to comment on renting a truck for those occasional trips perhaps with a trailer.
I would much rather have MY truck, with the stash of napkins in the second glove box, the flat back seat area for the dog and a couple bags, the POWER pulling a trailer, the controls handling views from windows that I am used to … than renting a strange truck.

 

[Someclouddude]

That makes a billion times more sense. That would open up the market to many more people. Like those that stay around town most of the time but like to travel several times a year. That would make for a great marketing commercial too.

This is my use case as well. Drag Boy Scouts camping 8-10 times a year, so about once a month. I could get an external generator for those trips and just load in the bed for charging and use there or emergencies. Tri-fuel generator video here, 30A caps at ~7kwh..



However, I recently drove from TX to CO for summer camp and it was kind of a drag. Trips are normally 1-2 stops max. I was always behind with an average range of about 200 miles at 1.7-1.8 mi/kw.

For me the EV range would still need to be at least 200 real miles at highway speeds for commutes, errands and daily driver for an active family around DFW or I’d be annoyed about gas & engine maintenance again. I’d probably skip it and suffer.

Another thing that would be cool is 50% additional kWh that could be a bed loaded rental at a dealer, or I suppose purchase for more frequent use. But more weight for daily commute could be wasteful. Need an expansion port… I also had an idea for a travel trailer with additional Powhatan a few years ago, I think I checked and Ford already had the patent..? Would also need some sort of rear expansion port. Anyway, I think there are options but mobile integrated generator could solve for some portion of population.

I think I saw that Scout replaces the spare tire area (didn’t Ford remove spare in 2025?) with fuel and smaller generator than Ram so the interior and bed space are not lost and the Frunk remains. Cool video here…

 

[WXman]

The cancellation of RAM EV is bad for EVs in general. I believe it is the result of negative political pressure that has been present for anything that doesn’t use fossil fuel. I personally was a MOPAR supporter and finally gave up waiting and bought my 23 Lightning to replace my 2007 RAM 2500 and 2012 Town and Country. I couldn’t use a 3/4 ton as a daily driver but the Lightning can do 90 percent of both the RAM and van.

P.S. I bought a 22MME the year before. My very first Ford!

So you don't think it has anything to do with business?

The companies that are doing well (Ford, others) are bleeding money on EVs. If Stellantis, which was literally on the brink of bankruptcy, had gone forward with launching an EV pickup truck it would have put the nail in their coffin.

At this point people need to quit lamenting Ram's smart business and start praying that Ford keeps the Lightning program going. They've got a lot of business case not to themselves.

 

[Joe Dablock]

you are absolutely correct, and Stellantis is in the worst case financially.and was afraid to risk any more cash. But the same pressures I mentioned earlier are affecting all Manufacturers. It will be a sad day if Ford were to pull the plug on the MME or Lightning.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

i firmly believe the battery tech is 'just around the corner' and any major auto maker that doesn't have an EV plateform already to put the new battery tech in, will be so far behind they will never catch up.
Remember, N.America is not leading in EV development and adoption, we are following behind.

 

[Firn]

So you don't think it has anything to do with business?

The companies that are doing well (Ford, others) are bleeding money on EVs. If Stellantis, which was literally on the brink of bankruptcy, had gone forward with launching an EV pickup truck it would have put the nail in their coffin.

At this point people need to quit lamenting Ram's smart business and start praying that Ford keeps the Lightning program going. They've got a lot of business case not to themselves.

Remember, the US is the third largest automobile market and our manufactures are global players. The top two markets have SIGNIFICANTLY higher EV marketshare than the US.

If they cant make a profitable EV they are already behind and the only thing saving them are protectionist measures.

Unfortunately EVs in the us have become a political decision for most people, rather than a practical one

 

[RickLightning]

I don't believe EVs are a political decision for most.

 

[RLXXI]

I don't believe EVs are a political decision for most.

Yeah I'm not buying that either. I know i certainly didn't. Didn't buy it to try to save the planet either.

Bought it because as a career mechanic, I'm sick and tired of all the ice maintenance. It's also been a dream of mine as a kid playing with slot cars and rc thinking how cool it would be to be inside driving it and here we are.

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