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Chrysler-Dodge
Hybrid Trucks
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Chrysler-Dodge hybrid
trucks are few and far between. In fact, the only Chrysler-Dodge
hybrid truck currently being sold is the diesel-electric
Dodge
Ram Hybrid Truck, which is only being offered
as a fleet vehicle.
The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck
has been deemed a "Contractor Special" since
the diesel engine also doubles as a electric generator
that will supply juice to power tools, appliances, chainsaws
and for emergency uses at home or in the field.
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The Chrysler-Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck uses a Cummins 325 hp
(242.5 kW), 5.9-liter turbo-diesel V-8 engine with 600 lb-ft
(813.4 Nm) of torque coupled with an electric belt-alternator
hybrid system to provide a mild hybrid to the buying public.
Chrysler-Dodge hasn't announced any new plans to hybridize
any of its other trucks. One has to wonder, though, how
far behind the Dodge Dakota Hybrid Truck is in development?
The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck is being built upon the heavy-duty
2500 / 3500 chassis so might there be a Ram 1500 Hybrid
on the drawing boards now? Only Chrysler-Dodge knows for
sure and they are keeping pretty tight-lipped about it.
Chrysler-Dodge is, however, working on a couple of hybrid
SUV's, namely 2007 Durango Hybrid SUV, which will roll out
for the 2008 season and a Dodge PowerBox Concept SUV, which
most probably will never be rolled out.
So, even though word of the development of further hybrid
trucks at Chrysler-Dodge is being kept very hush-hush, its
good to know that MoPar is on par with establishing the
hybrid vehicle as the status quo for years to come. Next,
can you say Viper Hybrid? Okay, that's a stretch.
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