I am a big fan of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology because they offer a natural transition from internal combustion engines to pure electric vehicles (EV). With range anxiety still prevalent, PHEVs like the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe allow people to experience all-electric range but none of the anxiety. And with more SUVs getting the PHEV treatment, I’ve gotta ask: Why aren’t there any PHEV trucks?
I also have to wonder which automaker might break the ice on a PHEV truck. I think it should be Ram.
No, there is nothing official about Stellantis adding the 4xe technology to a Ram pickup truck. In fact, a Ram spokesperson said there was no comment on any such speculation. But stick with me here.
It’s not much of a leap to assume Stellantis will continue to spread EV and PHEV technology across its entire line. During last year’s Stellantis EV summit, the automaker said that 40% of its sales would be low emission vehicles by the year 2030. This includes both EVs and PHEVs, which occupy only 4% of Stellantis’ lineup now.
In fact, Stellantis revealed there would be four battery-electric-vehicle-centric platforms that will be the backbone of all the electrified vehicles from the automaker – covering everything from the littlest Fiat all the way to the largest Ram. The platforms are as follows:
With this kind of structure in place it makes a lot of sense to combine this with ICE technology and create a PHEV Ram truck.
While it’s not confirmed that a Ram 1500 4xe is coming, it just makes sense it would happen — maybe even before a pure electric version of the Ram pickup, which has been confirmed.
The iconic Wrangler was the first vehicle in the Stellantis lineup to get a PHEV version. The Wrangler 4xe offers 21 miles of all-electric driving, which is meant to be a supplement rather than a replacement for the gasoline engine. So, perhaps the more important number to share is that the fuel economy of the Wrangler 4xe jumps to 49 MPGe with the combined electric/gas output. In comparison, gas-only fuel economy is just 20 MPG.
You can even charge the battery of the Wrangler 4xe while you’re driving in gas mode — meaning you don’t have to plug this Jeep in to charge it. But if you do decide to plug in, it should take 10-15 hours to get a full charge on a 110-volt outlet and 2-3 hours on a 220.
Jeep recently announced the Grand Cherokee would be the next vehicle in the lineup to get the 4xe treatment. The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe will have similar range as the Wrangler 4xe and the similar charge times. However, the propulsion system in the Grand Cherokee 4xe combines two electric motors, a 400-volt battery pack, 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. Jeep claims Grand Cherokee 4xe will get 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe (estimated).
According to EVadoption.com, there are 32 different models of PHEVs in the U.S. right now. Obviously, these are still a niche product, but again, I think it makes a natural bridge between old and new technologies. Generally speaking, PHEV technology costs about $4k premium over its gasoline counterpart, so cost is likely a factor in mass adoption. That plus the continued uncertainty surrounding plugging in a vehicle could also be keeping their popularity down.
But, personally I think a PHEV pickup truck would be interesting and could sell well. With the pickup truck seemingly skipping over PHEVs altogether and going straight to EVs, perhaps no PHEV transition is needed. But I still say expect a Ram 1500 4xe at some point in the not-so-distant future.
What do you think? Should Ram build a 4xe version of the 1500? Leave me your comments below.
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PHEV would be more appetizing to the consumer market. The idea of being hung out to dry when your battery dies is something that keeps gasoline engines in play. Even if you created the massive infrastructure to allow for plug in locations, taking hours to re-charge is a no-go versus being able to stop, fill up and go in a couple of minutes. If there was a reliably tested PHEV full-size pickup, I’d jump on it in a heartbeat.
I agree. PHEVs are a great transitionary vehicle from ICE to EV.
Yes we need one. I would buy it in a heart beat. Come on Toyota Tundra!
I’d buy one today.
I have been holding out hoping some one would announce a PHEV truck. RAM seems an obvious choice and I too would make it my next purchase. I think the automakers are being a bit tight lipped on purpose. I think it is common sense to worry about EV for other than non-local driving. PHEV resolves that, but they are all coming out with complete electric first. Understand maybe why technologically (maybe) so they need to sell those. Not keep people on the sideline if a PHEV is right behind it.
Yes they should! I’m only interested in a plug-in hybrid, not a full electric truck!
I have been interested in hybrid maverick but really want phev. I have held off hoping they would offer one. I love my Prius prime over 20k miles on car with mpg average over 90 mpg! How can you not love that!