5 Surprisingly Eco-Friendly Dodge/Ram Truck Design Choices
Dodge SUVs and Ram trucks are hardly known for being keepers of the environment, however, there are a few aspects where they've decided to shine in an unexpected way. Number 4 will surprise you!
1. Impressively Aerodynamic Design
The Ram 1500 remains the most aerodynamic full-sized pickup truck on the market. Even compared to the new F-150, Ram did a great deal to make their truck cut through the air easier. Aerodynamic design is about the best eco-conscious choice a company can make, because it helps maximize the miles it's getting out of each and every gallon. No full size truck is going to be good on gas, but it's clear Dodge's engineers have invested just as much time into optimizing the body of their trucks as the team designing the Prius.
2. Transmission Eco Mode
Featured in the mighty Dodge Durango, the "Eco Mode" enables you to temporarily sacrifice power for efficiency. With this feature, fuel is automatically conserved whenever the truck is coasting via transmission and throttle settings. Plus, it shifts into higher gears earlier under light throttle, for better mileage during normal stop and go driving. The amount of fuel saved while in Eco Mode can be quite significant over time, particularly if someone's taking their Durango for long-distance adventures. hopefully we'll see a feature like this in more models and makes over time.
3. Computer-Aided Variable Valve Timing
The internal combustion engines are an impressive way to turn explosive energy into movement, and in the 21st century they produce power and fuel economy undreamed of 50 years ago. Dodge engineers have found a way to improve efficiency and fuel economy even more, all the while reducing the vehicle's impact on the environment by varying the valve intake opening, which allows the system to actually reclaim normally wasted energy. For a family sized SUV with nearly 300hp, 27 mph on the highway is very impressive.
4. Military/Contractor Hybrid Pickup
In 2002 Dodge Ram developed a prototype diesel hybrid pickup truck based on their HEV, or military grade Ram 2500. From that evolved the Contractor Special, meant to be a limited edition hybrid truck with a 15% increase in fuel efficiency over more typical trucks. More importantly, the Contractor Special could double as a remote generator putting out 20kW of 120 or 240 volt electricity. Work truck owners tend to be the hardest to convince about green technology, however, with the convenience of a generator and truck all in one, it'd be hard to make an argument against it. Alas, bugs and a poor business case for the truck meant it was cancelled before being offered to the public.
5. Ecodiesel Option
The Ram 1500 truck was the only half-ton pickup offering a diesel engine option, until the recent Chevy Colorado diesel debuted. Besides the natural efficiency of diesel, the 1500 has been designed to maximize its efficiency in the HFE version with better aerodynamics and lower rolling resistance tires. Then they made sure the fuel system in the EcoDiesel was set up to handle biodiesel fuel, in up to a 20% mix with regular diesel. Third-party sources , such as Green Car Reports, lauded Ram's EcoDiesel for its surprisingly impressive economy, with the same MPG as a V6-powered midsize sedan.
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