2013 RAM 2500 CNG Pickup Review By Larry Nutson +VIDEO
SEE ALSO: Chrysler Steps Back Ten Years to Jump Into the Future with CNG-Powered Pick Up +VIDEO
Compressed Natural Gas RAM 2500
The only OEM-built CNG pickup in North America
By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
I don’t consider myself a trucker. Therefore, I don’t drive and review pickups and usually turn them down when offered. I initially declined to drive a new 2013 Ram, even though it has been receiving rave reviews, when it was offered as a substitute for a car that was scheduled for me to drive but was not done being repaired after an accident. Although, I wondered if I should find out for myself why the Ram is Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, is one of the three finalists for North American Truck/Utility of the Year, was just picked by Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press as their Truck of the Year, and was just named AOL Autos Truck of the Year.
What changed my mind was that this Ram that could come my way ran on CNG…Compressed Natural Gas. So I would have the chance to not only drive the Ram but get some CNG experience. The 2012/2013 Ram 2500 CNG is the only OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered pickup truck in North America.
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Last October the Chrysler Group LLC announced that 13 Ram Truck dealers landed contracts with 19 states to supply their fleets with the new Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup truck. Later that month production began and simultaneously Chrysler announced that the Ram HD CNG would be available to retail customers also.
CNG-only range is 301 miles highway, while the backup supply of gasoline extends the range to 966 total miles. Now that’s a lot of work-truck miles on one fueling.
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The CNG tanks provide a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of 18.2 gallons.
GGEs are calculated as having the same energy equivalent as one gallon of gasoline. CNG sold at filling stations in the U.S. is priced in dollars per GGE. A gasoline gallon equivalent of CNG is approximately 14.5 liters at 3600 psi.
At current prices, which are generally $1.25 less than the gallon equivalent of gasoline, CNG promises significant cost savings over the life of the truck
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The Ram 2500 is delivered ready-to-tow and standard equipment includes the integrated 4- and 7-pin connectors along with a Class IV hitch receiver. The Ram CNG also comes with a trailer brake controller with customer-programmable electric or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake options.
The Ram CNG’s brake system reflects distinctive advantages, with huge, oversize 14-inch rotors and calipers to match. Front GAWR is rated up to 5,200 lbs. — ideal for northern climates requiring snow plow attachments.
Pricing starts at $46,505, including $995 destination charge.
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CNG comes primarily from underground sources in the U.S. and Canada. It is plentiful and offers lower tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline or diesel fuel. In fact, CNG vehicles emit 20 percent less CO2 than gasoline vehicles – and benefit the environment not only by lowering tailpipe emissions, but also generating fewer greenhouse gasses in fuel production, as well. Also, dedicated NGVs produce, on average, 70 percent less carbon monoxide, 87 percent less non-methane organic gas and 87 percent less NOx than traditional gasoline powered vehicles.
There are about 150,000 Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) on U.S. roads and more than 13 million worldwide. We’ll be seeing more of them in our future.
© Larry Nutson