Hybrid pickup trucks are a rarity with only General Motors daring to offer this technology in its full size Chevrolet and GMC models. GM's hybrid technology isn't as sophisticated as what you would find in the Toyota Prius or Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, but it is sufficient enough for these burly trucks to achieve 20 mpg around town. That's significant in a market where 15 mpg combined fuel economy is the average for gas powered pickup trucks.
Chrysler Hybrid Quest
Chrysler briefly sold a pair of hybrid sport utility vehicles just before it went bankrupt in 2009, but pulled those models after a few months as the cost didn't justify the few sales it was able to gain. Yet, the automaker hasn't given up on hybrid technology as it is currently testing a fleet of plug-in hybrid Ram pickup trucks under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Ram plug-in hybrids or PHVs are among 140 prototypes being tested by the Chrysler Group in a dozen cities nationwide. Cities with disparate weather conditions have been chosen and range from Fargo, N.D., to Yuma, Ariz. These two cities offer the weather extremes the automaker needs to see how robust its hybrid technology is. The thinking is that if these trucks can survive winter weather where temperatures plunge to 40 degrees below zero or summer heat pushing 120 degrees, then the technology may be made available for retail sale.
Eight of the 10 PHV Ram trucks will be sent to Yuma's police department and used on patrol. The two remaining trucks will go to utility companies. A variety of public and private entities will partner with Chrysler in the other cities.
Federal Research Study
The Chrysler PHV program is being funded by the federal government, whose interest in the project comes as higher fuel economy ratings are being weighed. The standard Ram pickup truck gets a combined 15 mpg city and highway driving, but researchers expect that the PHV models will see a 50 to 60 percent boost in fuel efficiency. Researchers want each truck to put in at least 16,800 miles annually to accurately gauge results.
Each truck can run on electric-only power for 50 miles before the gas engine kicks in. Chrysler has no plans to offer the Ram 1500 PHV for retail sale as the program is part of a U.S. Department of Energy study. However, the technology may someday find its way into a production vehicle, perhaps the next generation Chrysler Town & Country minivan or the Dodge Durango crossover.
Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of "Auto Trends Magazine." Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including carbon fiber trunks and Ford exhaust systems.
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