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Dodge
Ram Hybrid Truck
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The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck,
or Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) as they like to call
it, went into production on December 13, 2004. The Dodge
Ram Hybrid Truck will only be available as a fleet vehicle
for some time (and only as a diesel-electric vehicle also)
according to DaimlerChrysler.
Besides the name Dodge
Ram HEV, officials are also calling this truck the "Contractor
Special". This is because the Dodge Ram Hybrid can
be used on-road, off-road or as a clean-burning diesel-powered
electrical generator as would be needed on a construction
site.
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According to Bernard I. Robertson, Senior Vice President Engineering
Technologies and General Manager for Truck Operations at DaimlerChrysler,
"We dubbed this vehicle the 'Contractor Special' because
it is perfect for construction site work. But, we believe the
vehicle will also appeal to campers and outdoor enthusiasts,
to farmers who have to work on remote sites, and to homeowners
who need to keep their households running in the case of a power
failure.
Pictured
is the Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck. |
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"In addition to doubling as a portable generator,
the Dodge Ram Contractor Special delivers double the environmental
benefits. It is cleaner than any conventional pickup on
the road, and cleaner than current generator technology
off the road."
The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck is being built upon the heavy-duty
2500 / 3500 chassis powered by a Cummins 325 hp (242.5 kW),
5.9-liter turbo-diesel engine with 600 lb-ft (813.4 Nm)
of torque. The diesel engine is assisted by an integrated
starter-alternator hybrid system to provide supplemental
power and thus is considered a mild hybrid. Full hybrids
usually run off the power generated from the electrical
motors, which are assisted by the internal combustion engine
as needed and usually achieve much better fuel efficiency
than mild hybrids. The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck generates
only a 15-percent increase in fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid
model, but then again 15-percent is 15-percent. When we're
talking green, every little bit helps.
The hybrid system provides stop-start capabilities, propulsion
assistance upon acceleration and regenerative braking to
recharge the battery pack. The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck can
also be used onsite as a diesel-powered electricity generator.
Like the GM Silverado Hybrid, the Ram Truck Hybrid can provide
110 / 220-volt AC power. This feature will not only be useful
on construction sites, but anywhere else where a little
extra electricity may be needed.
The Dodge Ram Hybrid Truck is part of an over all picture
of cleaner, greener vehicles for DaimlerChrysler for years
to come.
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