Chrysler's Ram Plug-In Hybrid Pickup Truck

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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How to Make Your Bucket Truck Eco-Friendly!

As an answer to the increasing cost of gas and the growing concern over global warming, vehicle manufacturers have been racing to provide their customers with fuel-efficient versions. Today they are being built with fuel-efficient engines, smart engine management systems, and hybrid engine technology. Some are already fully electric and no longer require petroleum-based fuel to operate.

The efforts to create eco-friendly and energy-efficient vehicles have been successful with personal passenger cars. Unfortunately, the commercial truck versions still need a lot of additional work. Not all of the eco-friendly technology available in cars can be adapted to commercial truck applications due to the demanding uses of these vehicles. Despite this, there are still ways to make bucket trucks eco-friendly.

Follow a Regular Maintenance Schedule - Following a regular maintenance schedule is one way to keep any vehicle eco-friendly. A regular tune-up will keep the engine's timing synchronized so that it can burn gas efficiently and eliminate any unburned gas from leaving the exhaust. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the air filter should also be replaced regularly. A clogged filter can reduce the proper fuel-to-air ratio and as a result, the engine has to burn more fuel to maintain its power output. It is also important to check the wheel alignment and the air pressure of the tires regularly. Either of these problems can increase the engine's workload and reduce efficiency.
Use Bio-Diesel - The type of fuel used also affects the energy efficiency and emission of the truck. A diesel engine is already 30 to 40 percent more efficient than its gasoline counterpart; however, it is still possible to increase efficiency and reduce emissions by using bio-diesel. This fuel is derived from plants and is considered carbon neutral since the plants used for producing the gas consume roughly the same amount of CO-2 from the air as is released when bio-diesel fuel is combusted.
Reduce Drag - Another way to effectively increase efficiency when driving is by reducing the amount of wind drag on the bucket truck. Wind resistance can significantly increase the engine's workload. Two simple ways to effectively reduce a vehicle's drag is by closing the windows when driving and driving at a moderate speed.
Use Less Air-Conditioning - Air conditioning increases the engine's energy consumption. So if it is not needed, always turn off the A/C and use the vents instead. During the day, it helps to park in a shady area to prevent heat build-up inside the cab.
Go Easy on the Pedal - Avoid sudden breaking and rapid acceleration. Sudden braking will cause the tires and brake pads to wear out faster, while rapid acceleration can increase energy consumption. If possible, try maintaining a constant speed to reduce fuel consumption.
Plan a Route - Reduce energy consumption by planning a route and avoiding heavily congested traffic. If possible, drive the truck when the traffic is not heavy to avoid stop-and-go traffic, which really increases energy consumption. For unavoidable traffic delays, save energy by turning the engine off while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.Bucket trucks are known as "gas guzzlers," and although most eco-friendly and energy-efficient technologies are not yet widely available for commercial truck applications, there are still many ways to make vehicles energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Following these beneficial tips will help keep the truck in better operating condition and help save the environment!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. Click here to find out more about Bucket Truck Sales.

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