Last call; Ram 1500 EcoDiesel production ends in January 2023
14 September 2022
Ram Truck is offering consumers a final opportunity to order its Ram 1500 EcoDiesel model; production of the 2023 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will conclude in January 2023. Introduced in 2014, with a significant upgrade integrated for the 2020 model year, the EcoDiesel V-6 engine provided a number of powertrain milestones.
The 2020 Ram 1500 was the US’ most powerful half-ton diesel pickup, with 480 lb-ft of torque (651 N·m), and most capable light-duty diesel, with towing capability up to 12,560 pounds. The new-generation 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel reinforced Ram Truck’s commitment to powertrain leadership and led the segment in fuel economy.
The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x2 scored 32 mpg highway and 29 mpg highway for 4x4 models. Ram EcoDiesel’s range exceeded 1,000 miles per fill-up, the highest among all pickup trucks. The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was available in all models and configurations, including a first-time offering in the Ram Rebel.
The EcoDiesel 3.0-liter V-6 available in the 2023 Ram 1500
Our Ram EcoDiesel V-6 engine has delighted consumers with the highest half-ton diesel torque rating and towing capability while being the first to exceed 1,000 miles of range. As we quickly pivot toward an electrified future, we wanted to celebrate this last EcoDiesel milestone by offering our loyal light-duty diesel enthusiasts a final opportunity to order the truck they love.
—Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO – Stellantis
Ram will offer a 1500 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pickup truck in 2024, a full portfolio of electrified solutions in the majority of its segments by 2025 and in all segments by 2030.
The 2023 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is available in Crew Cab 4x4 models and can be ordered now. EcoDiesel will be available in Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited Longhorn and Limited models.
Diesel power is still the most efficient. It's nonsense to think that EV's are more efficient. The US grid is 35% efficient and 59% to 61% of grid power makes it to the wheels in an EV. 21% total efficiency.
Diesels such as the above are 44% thermally efficient. Drivetrain losses are 10%. Net 39% efficiency. And heat for winter is a nice byproduct, unlike an EV which must use energy to produce heat.
A 44% efficient engine, driving a generator 93% (more eff than grid power at 41%) , connected to a Tesla, running a charger, into a battery , out of a battery (86% of what goes in comes out) through a 90% controller, into a 93% efficient motor, through a small gearbox with 5% losses, and finally driving the wheels is simply a stack of losses.
Or we can simply use the diesel to drive the wheels...
Posted by: cujet | 15 September 2022 at 08:17 PM
We could also consider that the peak efficiency of diesel engines could be improved significantly in the future. This would be by applying state-of-the-art technology (soon to be introduced…) from HD engines (plus some refining…) also on LD engines so that they also could reach 50% thermal efficiency. Add a rankine bottoming cycle to utilize wasted exhaust heat and we are close to 55%. This is a relative improvement of about 25% (55/44). In my own assessment, downsizing, reduced friction and pumping losses plus better turbomachinery (all part of the concept above) should yield at least similar relative improvement at low load, and, likewise, also for the drive cycle averaged efficiency. To put this in perspective, it is not possible to improve the (drive cycle average) efficiency for an electric motor from 93% by a factor of 1.25. Anything over 100% would simply be against the laws of physics; regardless of if we speak about peak efficiency or average efficiency. On the long term, we will eventually run out of fossil fuels and the so-called e-fuels will not be as efficient as electric drive even if they are utilized in diesel engines but in the meantime – while we are still producing electricity from fossil fuels – it seems stupid to rule out the diesel engine.
Posted by: Peter_XX | 18 September 2022 at 12:16 PM