[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I didn't know Ram had a hybrid. Just read up on it, and the details were pretty light. It seems it can barely recover any energy on decel, though how much wasn't disclosed. The article also said the electric motor assists with the first 1/2 rotation of the wheels, which is practically nothing. Essentially it's starting the engine and that's it.

The article says it's much more than engine start/stop, but went on to pretty much just describe start/stop.

Can't wait for a true hybrid pickup to become available. Absolutely insane that it wasn't the first hybrid to be released 20 years ago. It stands the most to benefit from the technology, is least impacted by the bulk and weight of the batteries, and has the fastest payback period. What am I missing? What does the industry know that I don't?

The industry know about 12 years ago someone tried it.
GM built a hybrid Silverado back around 2008. It flopped, there were still new ones on dealer lots 2 years after they discontinued them. This is the main reason no one is trying to be first with an electric or hybrid pickups.

They developed a bit of a cult following after gas prices were stuck over $3 a gallon for a few years by 2013-2014.

So the industry knows gas prices will have to go up and stay up for an extended period of time to get people interested..

With the auto makers bleeding money from every orifice like an ebola victim no one can afford to launch a money pit.