Wait, is it a truck or an SUV? Honestly, if you ask someone who grew up in the '80s, they’ll tell you the Dodge Ramcharger truck was a brawny, two-door SUV that took on the Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco. They aren’t wrong. But if you’re looking at the 2025 and 2026 model years, the name has been resurrected for something entirely different. It’s a pickup now. Well, sort of.
Basically, the new Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a "range-extended electric vehicle" (REEV). It has a bed. It has four doors. It looks like a standard Ram 1500. But under the skin, it’s a technological weirdo that might actually be the smartest solution to the "I want an electric truck but I need to tow" dilemma.
People get confused because the name carries fifty years of baggage. You've got the classic 1974–1993 4x4 beast on one hand, and this high-tech, 663-horsepower electricity-generating monster on the other.
The 2025 Dodge Ramcharger Truck: A Generator with Wheels
Let's clear up the biggest misconception right away. The engine in the new Ramcharger does not drive the wheels. There is no mechanical link. No driveshaft coming off the back of the motor to the axles. Instead, it’s a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that lives its life as a dedicated onboard power plant.
It’s basically a massive, mobile battery charger.
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The truck runs on two electric motors (EDMs). You get 250 kW of power in the front and 238 kW in the back. Because the gas engine only charges the 92-kWh battery or sends juice directly to those motors, you get the instant, neck-snapping torque of an EV without ever needing to worry about finding a functional Level 3 charger in the middle of nowhere.
Why the 690-mile range matters
Standard electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning or even Ram’s own 1500 REV have a "range problem" when you hook up a trailer. Towing a 10,000-pound camper can cut an EV's range in half. Or worse.
The Ramcharger fixes this.
- Total targeted range: 690 miles.
- 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds.
- Towing capacity: 14,000 pounds.
It’s a beast. You can drive 140-ish miles on pure battery power, and then the V6 kicks in to keep you moving for another 500+ miles. It’s the ultimate "no-compromise" truck for people who actually use their trucks as tools.
What Happened to the Original Ramcharger?
To understand why people are so hyped about the name, you have to look back at the original Dodge Ramcharger truck (well, SUV). It debuted in 1974. Back then, it was a "Rhino"—that was the internal code name. It was built on a shortened version of the Dodge D-Series pickup chassis.
For the first few years, it didn't even have a permanent roof. You bought the truck, and the roof was an option. You could get it with a 440 cubic-inch big block V8. It was loud, thirsty, and could crawl over just about anything.
Dodge killed it in the U.S. after 1993 because people started wanting four doors. The two-door SUV was a dying breed, replaced by the Suburban and eventually the Durango. Interestingly, the Ramcharger lived on in Mexico until 2001, using the second-gen Ram truck face, but it never officially made it back across the border.
The identity crisis
The 2025/2026 version is a "truck" in the sense that it has a cargo bed. The 1985 version was a "truck" because it was built on a truck frame but had an enclosed cabin.
Today’s version is much more sophisticated. It uses the STLA Frame platform, which is 8 inches wider than the old gas Ram frames to make room for the battery packs. It’s got a multi-link rear suspension and available air springs. It’s a luxury liner that happens to have a generator in the nose.
Comparing the New Breed: Ramcharger vs. REV
If you’re shopping for a "green" Ram, you’ll see the Ram 1500 REV and the Ramcharger. They look almost identical.
The REV is a pure battery-electric vehicle (BEV). It has a massive battery—up to 229 kWh—and no gas engine at all. If the battery dies, you're calling a tow truck.
The Ramcharger is the one for the skeptics. It has a smaller battery (92 kWh) because it carries its own backup. If you’re a contractor who spends all day at a job site or someone who hauls a horse trailer across state lines, the Ramcharger is the one you actually want.
Honestly, the payload capacity on the Ramcharger is impressive too, sitting at around 2,625 pounds. That's better than many traditional gas-powered half-tons.
Real-World Tech: Living with a Range Extender
One thing people often overlook is how the charging works. You can plug it in like a Tesla. It supports DC fast charging, adding about 50 miles of range in 10 minutes.
But you don't have to.
If you’re in a hurry, you just go to a gas station and fill up the tank. The V6 engine will hum along at whatever RPM is most efficient to generate the electricity you need. It’s got different modes:
- Electric Mode: Stays off the gas as long as possible.
- E-Save: Saves the battery for later (like when you get into a city).
- Charge-Depleting: Uses the battery and gas together for maximum performance.
It also features bi-directional charging. This means your truck can power your house during a blackout or charge up a buddy's EV if they ran out of juice. It can output up to 7.2 kW through the power panel in the bed.
Is it Worth the Hype?
The Dodge Ramcharger truck (or Ram 1500 Ramcharger, technically) is entering a market that is currently a bit cooled off on pure EVs. People are realized that chargers are often broken or slow.
By using the "Ramcharger" name, Stellantis is tapping into a legacy of toughness while solving the biggest hurdle for electric trucks: towing range.
If you’re looking to get one, keep in mind that these are premium machines. The Tungsten trim level is expected to be incredibly fancy, with 24-way massaging seats and a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system. It’s not just a work truck; it’s a rolling tech showcase.
Actionable Insights for Buyers
If you’re considering the new Ramcharger, start by auditing your daily mileage. If you drive less than 140 miles a day, you might never use a drop of gas. But if you're the type to take 500-mile road trips, this is currently the only truck on the market that gives you the EV experience without the EV "towing anxiety."
Check with your local dealer about the 2025 release window, as high demand has pushed Ram to prioritize the Ramcharger launch over the pure-electric REV in some regions. Also, verify your home's electrical panel capacity; you'll want a Level 2 charger installed to make the most of that 92-kWh battery overnight.