2019 Ram 1500 only available as a hybrid.

[Hersbird]

I'm surprised this hasn't hit this thread yet. Until the new Ecodiesel comes out on the 2019, there will be just 2 engine choices both with electric assist and a "air-cooled 330 watt-hour lithium-ion Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery." Seems Ram sort of beat Volvo to the all hybrid or electric punch at least on the 1500. Lots of other MPG focus on this truck as well.
https://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/2018-1500.html

Oh I just read there will be some fleet v8 trucks made without the hybrid.

[redpoint5]

It's a bit underwhelming considering the small battery and low EV power. Would be more exciting if they put a smaller engine in and more powerful electric motor and battery.

[Ecky]

I think this would be a hoot to retrofit onto an old Honda or Geo. It provides around 4x more torque than Honda's IMA, which already feels pretty significant.

[redpoint5]

On a very tangent thought, what if the bulk of braking was accomplished via electric instead of friction?

The battery would absorb what it could from regeneration, and any excess electricity could be sent to a resistive load, cooled by the engine coolant. Each wheel could have its own motor so that regenerative braking could be precisely controlled, and ABS could be accomplished by reducing regen instantly on the wheel that stopped turning. Stability control would also use regen to slow individual wheels to regain control. Naturally the vehicle would be all-wheel-drive. Small friction brakes would activate at slow/stopped speeds and in emergency.

Heck, this design lends itself to a series hybrid configuration with elimination of the traditional transmission/drivetrain. Run a genset at peak efficiency to supply electricity, with a battery/supercap bank acting to smooth the power input/output.

This would allow a truck and enormous load to be safely slowed on very steep and long grades, with no fear of brake fade or wear. Furthermore efficiency would improve since every braking event would recapture some of the energy. Finally, the nearly instant response of electricity would allow more precise control of the vehicle compared with mechanical systems.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It's a bit underwhelming considering the small battery and low EV power. Would be more exciting if they put a smaller engine in and more powerful electric motor and battery.

A naturally aspirated 2wd 6.2 diesel with a stick and this device would be a real hoot.

Per GM the 6.2 diesel only cost $350 more to make than the 350 gas engine.

30+ mpg all day

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

A naturally aspirated 2wd 6.2 diesel with a stick and this device would be a real hoot.

Per GM the 6.2 diesel only cost $350 more to make than the 350 gas engine.

30+ mpg all day

and only $15,000 more to maintain

[Stubby79]

330 watt-hour? That's quarter what my electric bike has. Pretty sad.

Guess its good for avoiding idling and...that's about it. Might be more efficient than having an alternator, assuming it doesn't use one.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

and only $15,000 more to maintain

I guess...
My last one only went 438,000 miles before I drove it to the junkyard due to a rusted out everything

I did have to replace the starter about 5 times but that issue was solved on newer trucks.

Key was that it was a c-code 6.2 and the harmonic never went

Most folks blow the crank after the harmonic breaks

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

I guess...
My last one only went 438,000 miles before I drove it to the junkyard due to a rusted out everything

I did have to replace the starter about 5 times but that issue was solved on newer trucks.

Key was that it was a c-code 6.2 and the harmonic never went

Most folks blow the crank after the harmonic breaks

Fair enough, I'm probably thinking of the 6.5's which also may not be as bad as once thought. There had to be some reason you could pick them up for 1/2 the price of a 350 gas powered Chevy all day and night.

I think this new Ram with a 3.6 may replace my Cummins. It will need to have about 1600 pounds of payload in a 4x4 crew cab version and at least 7500# tow rating. I had been eyeing the current version once they started using the 8 speed with the 3.6 but the 2019 seems to have upped it's game. Of course I will probably wait 3 years for some depreciation as well as for it to prove reliable. Adding the Pacifica's plug in hybrid system would move me to get one new but I haven't heard any rumors about that possibility.

[Hersbird]

Looks like it will be 1740# payload (actually similar to my 2500 Cummins) and 7320# towing which is 1/2 my Cummins but my camper is 6000 GVWR max so it would be within specs. About 700# on the hitch leaves 1000# for gear and passengers in the truck.

I do notice the etorque thing actually reduces the 5.7's tow rating by almost 200 pounds, that doesn't give me confidence.