Ram Hybrid in the Works

Have you ever thought you’ll see a hybrid Ram truck? Chrysler says it’s going to happen, as the automaker has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a grant of up to $48 million as part of a $2.4 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act DOE Vehicle Electrification program. Chrysler Group will build 140 Ram PHEVs for a demonstration project that will last three years.

“This initiative represents how government, automotive industry, suppliers and key partners are reaching common goals and demonstrates how rapidly this type of advanced technology can be brought to market,” said Paolo Ferrero, Senior Vice President—Powertrain, Chrysler Group LLC. “DOE-support for domestic advanced technology is an important enabler for Chrysler Group and its key suppliers in order to understand and test customer acceptance and the capability of PHEV systems in a variety of real-world conditions.”

The Ram PHEV will be powered by a 5.7 liter HEMI with a two mode hybrid transmission and a 12KwHr lithium ion battery. According to Chrysler, the vehicle will be able to run gasoline-free for 20 miles (32 kilometers). The system is expected to provide an overall fuel economy improvement of more than 65 percent. For the project, Chrysler has partnered with Electrovaya Inc., which will supply the lithium Ion batteries.

The RAM PHEVs will be independently tested by more than 21 Chrysler Group partners across the U.S., including utility companies, government agencies and Universities. They will provide data for the advancement of the technology.

This is not the first we’ve heard about the a Hybrid Ram. The company intended to create such a vehicle in 2008, but the market for it was too small and it could not formulate an appropriate business plan. Back then, they decided to cancel the development work on the Ram HEV.