11-07-2023, 09:14 PM | #1303 |
Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020
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Did we hit on this yet?
Well what do you know...https://www.yahoo.com/news/electric-...002712095.html "RAM is making...It's called the Ramcharger, a pickup that can travel 145 miles (235 kilometers) on electricity, with a 3.6-liter V6 gas-powered engine linked to a generator that can recharge the battery while the truck is moving."
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2023 Camaro ZL1 Vert TR-6060 Sharkskin "Sharky"
Firecracker Red Wrangler Willys, 3.6L eTorque, 850RE 8 speed automatic, 25W Willys package, Technology Group, Convenience Group (aka $600 garage door opener), Cold weather Group, Trailer Tow and HD electric group with AUX switches, 3 piece black freedom top. |
11-08-2023, 04:23 AM | #1304 |
Drives: 2015 Z28 Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Cambridge UK
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Audi use similar tech in their Dakar cars: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/aud...dakar-car-work.
Slightly more powerful though, its a DTM motor linked to 2x Formula-E engines They won 4 stages first time out and got 14 of 15 podiums last year, some stages go for 500+ miles. If it works for Dakar its probably going to be OK for nipping down the shops |
11-08-2023, 08:11 AM | #1305 | |
Drives: multiple cars Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 517
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The motors' hp can be any hp level the pack can supply + cruise. The engine only needs power for a flat cruise. If Voltec had been this scaled to performance Cadillac Model S/X killers, they could have basically ran Energizer bunny ads versus any BEV. And tried to pop the BEV bubble early instead of letting it blow. |
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11-08-2023, 08:54 AM | #1306 |
Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
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The engine is only there to provide power to the battery.
Why they chose to use the 3.6 V6 I don't know, but there had to be a reason. Perhaps it's cheaper than using one of their fancier turbo 4 engines and I'm not sure they have any diesel engine that is small/cheap enough for this application either...and perhaps using some NA 4 cylinder engine doesn't provide enough "juice" to keep the batteries powered? Assuming this works as advertised and doesn't turn out to be a nightmare of bugs and issues upon release, then I still think this makes more sense than a full on EV truck. Somebody out there tell me why being able to drive on electric only the vast majority of time (to work, short trips) and then being able to use gas when needed is a worse idea than full on EV? If GM had continued on with the Voltec platform or some evolutionary version of it and applied it to more vehicles, there's a damn good chance I'd own one right now for my wife's daily. I think there's a LOT more people out there like me and we'd all be running around producing near zero emissions. Instead, we're getting full EV shoved in our faces, and I'm saying "nope".
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11-08-2023, 12:21 PM | #1307 | |
Drives: 2020 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Kansas City Metro
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This may be the only way to get pickup truck owners that do tow in the half ton class to stay half ton and not jump up to a 2500. I actually am down for this. Time is all we have in life and in the towing world going out exploring or just traveling in general with family filling up on Gas is significantly quicker than charging. I predict 2500 sales increasing still though from 150/1500 buyers where that class handled their long distance adventures to 2500 to maintain that range confidence but this idea will definitely keep some of those customers in the half ton segment. |
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11-08-2023, 04:13 PM | #1308 | |
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I've been following Walter from his site TNAC and this is his updates to new and upcoming US charging sites that GM and Pilot/Flying J are deploying coast to coast. He's (wife) also a Cadillac Lyriq owner.
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11-08-2023, 04:17 PM | #1309 | |
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This one might be more on topic to the current discussion.
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11-08-2023, 07:18 PM | #1310 | |
Retired from GM
Drives: 2017 Camaro Fifty SS Convertible Join Date: Mar 2017
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2017 CAMARO FIFTY SS CONVERTIBLE
A8 | MRC | NPP | Nav | HUD | GM Performance CAI | Tony Mamo LT1 V2 Ported TB | Kooks 1-7/8 LT Headers | FlexFuel Tune | Thinkware Q800 Pro front and rear dash cam | Charcoal Tint for Taillights and 3rd Brakelight | Orange and Carbon Fiber Bowties | 1LE Wheels in Gunmetal Gray | Carbon Fiber Interior Overlays | Novistretch bra and mirror covers | Tow hitch for bicycle rack | |
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11-08-2023, 11:48 PM | #1311 | |
Drives: multiple cars Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 517
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'Budget improvement' was another topic of the adoption curve video. Payback time is usually long. It will be interesting to see if the Ramcharger tows with good mpg. Reliability will be a big factor, now that regulations have hurt the fuel burners. |
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11-09-2023, 08:23 AM | #1312 |
Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Torrance
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Yeah, I get it that the electric motors turn the wheels and provides the hp. The gas engine powers a generator. OK fine.
I can't seem to grasp, though, that the generator only charges the battery. I thought the electricity generated went straight to the electric motors and some (16-35%) of what was generated was sent to the battery as a back-up/reserve. Whatever....The whole set-up makes a mockery of this whole EV transition. Batteries and EVs can't hack it without fossil fuels somewhere in the background, either as a generator in each vehicle, or powering an EV charging station. Instead of a gasoline engine to generate electricity, why doesn't the truck deploy an array of solar panels instead?...lol Are gas powered generators in the trunk or roof the next option to extend EV range, or a primary charging option for those without access to home or apartment chargers?...lol I guess those pics of a Tesla towing a generator, and plug in stations with a generator right behind them were a precursor to the design of this Ram truck...lol I like my current vehicles with a gas powered hp generator: a V-8 engine that drives the axles. (No battery or electric motors required). Last edited by 90503; 11-09-2023 at 08:58 AM. |
11-09-2023, 11:18 AM | #1313 | |
Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
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But again...if the GOAL is to reduce the amount of emissions as fast as possible without disrupting the way we currently travel and requiring huge changes to our electrical infrastructure, hybrids like this are the best answer we have. Just think if GM had kept on with the Voltec system and applied it to all of their vehicles over the years and then made a few full EVs as well (for those people where it sorta makes sense). Imagine if other manufactures followed suit. A huge portion of people with a vehicle under 5 to 10 years old wouldn't be producing any emissions on their normal daily commutes. Sure, complexity, weight, cost are still issues, but those are minor compared to the huge issues facing world of full EV only vehicles. Based on my very un-scientific review of reactions to the RamCharger, compared to other full EV trucks out there, the reception is MUCH more positive overall.
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11-09-2023, 12:22 PM | #1314 | |
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Location: Pennsylvania
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Based on the above, if ...if ...if Ford makes an enhanced Powerboost with a reservoir battery, that keeps an engine in the happiest efficiency range while towing. And it's still otherwise a conventional hybrid, it wins on selling price. That leaves the Ramcharger's best selling point as high hp that doesn't beat up your wallet commuting. |
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11-09-2023, 12:23 PM | #1315 | |
Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2011
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All good points, but reducing emissions just by shuffling it around isn't any real answer either. Also, avoiding disruptions to the way we currently travel is the least of their priorities. Emissions ending (and fossil fuels), yes, that's a result of the actual goal which is a total disruption and end to how we currently travel....but that's another topic that usually doesn't end well...lol The practical use of EVs for short commutes has been totally botched. Instead of a lower cost economy vehicle priced accordingly, we have mostly seen hi-end unaffordable monstrosities. If a short range commuter EV, priced very, very inexpensively, (I mean less than 10K), they would sell like hot cakes (IMO), and solve the emissions problem caused by short commutes. If they had built something like that, I would buy one. But trying to make a one size fits all EV and a triple-complex-towing truck for a short commute is silly and unnecessary. I think the only reason this RAM may be recieving good reviews is that the end of the average ICE truck being able to tow and haul when needed is coming to an end or will be shortly. I always bought my trucks knowing I may or may not use them to their full capacity most of the time. But at least that option was there when needed. It is what trucks were expected to do. Now, EVs have the mind-set that you know, you really don't need to do this or that. No better price, just more cost to do what had been previously taken for granted with a truck. Starting to just ramble, so that's it for now...lol |
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11-09-2023, 12:56 PM | #1316 |
Drives: multiple cars Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 517
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Full size trucks have become luxury vehicles. I wish the mid-size was a purist solid axle truck. Then they could beef one up to be a cheap 3/4 ton mid-size with 8' bed and V8.
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