The 2023 Ram 1500 Goes Electric with eTorque

It’s a very exciting time for the automotive industry. The upcoming model year promises to be an exciting one as manufacturers introduce innovations to provide the very best options for consumers. Unquestionably, the largest improvements that have been implemented in recent years concern the further development of electrification. Reducing our carbon footprint and emissions has become a collective goal across the entire automobile industry, with many manufacturers setting goals to have more of their fleets electrified in the upcoming years.

In a little over two decades, we’ve gone from hybrid vehicles consisting of small hatchbacks and sedans to trucks and SUVs receiving the benefits of electrification. Among the electrified trucks available on the market is the 2023 Ram 1500. Two distinctive options in the vehicle’s powertrain lineup are equipped with eTorque mild-hybrid technology: a Pentastar V6 and a HEMI V8. Today, we’ll be exploring the attributes of both. When you decide to visit Orange Coast CJDRF  in Costa Mesa, CA, for your next pickup, you’ll have a better understanding of the hybrid Ram trucks for sale on our lot and what they can do for you.

Surpassing the Competition

While SUVs make up a considerable amount of the vehicle marketplace, the pickup truck remains the most competitive class of vehicles in the entire industry. Aside from being a necessary tool on countless job sites across the country, the pickup is the ultimate symbol of Americana, a living embodiment of the rugged determination that helped establish our nation. Ram has continually proved itself a worthy adversary for the other truck manufacturers, surpassing many of them in terms of sophistication, style, and all-around performance to deliver the goods and carry the most challenging workloads. While Ram separated from Dodge in 2009 and now exists as its own entity, its values and dedication to quality have remained intact. In 2023, that’s more than apparent as the Ram 1500 continues to be a symbol of excellence.

The HEMI eTorque Hybrid

For many, the term HEMI needs little to no introduction. Mention it in any passing conversation, and you’ll pique the interest of truck enthusiasts and muscle car aficionados alike. A part of the Ram 1500 since 2003, the 5.7L HEMI V8 is a legendary engine. Boasting 395 hp and the ability to generate 410 lb-ft of torque, the HEMI works in conjunction with an eight-speed automatic transmission for optimal performance. Ram has offered the HEMI with the eTorque mild-hybrid system since 2019, but for the 2023 model year, eTorque is now standard equipment. For those who fancy the trailering life, the HEMI with eTorque has an increased maximum towing capacity of 12,750 lbs, placing versatility at the forefront. Best of all, this powerful V8 engine gets an estimated 18 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.

Firing on Six Cylinders and Hybrid Technology

The mark of a good manufacturer is providing multiple options to consumers. Ram follows this trend with a second hybrid powertrain option: a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque. While not as boisterous as its HEMI sibling, an effective 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque are the benefits that come with optimizing the engine. A towing capacity of 7,730 lbs makes the V6 a capable companion for light-duty tasks. One of the best attributes of the V6 is its conservative fuel consumption. The EPA estimates that a 2023 Ram 1500 equipped with the Pentastar V6 with eTorque will get up to 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.

eTorque: What It Is and How It Works

With Ram’s mild-hybrid technology adapted to two formidable engines, it makes for a unique chapter in the history of the brand. That said, how does the eTorque technology work? Well, it all comes down to the basics of momentum. Anyone who’s driven a pickup truck can attest to the power of these vehicles. However, this power is all too often wasted when it comes time to slow down and stop the truck. In the past couple of years, many manufacturers have developed regenerative braking systems that turn the momentum of a vehicle into electricity rather than wasting it through conventional braking. Since the 2019 model year, Ram has utilized this process in what it calls eTorque.

What Ram has done is replace the alternator with an electric motor that can capture energy while slowing the truck and store it for later use when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds. This energy passes through an auxiliary battery pack which powers smaller items such as the vehicle’s cooling fan and other accessories. This means there’s less strain placed on the engine, which allows it to deliver more power to the wheels.

Capturing energy is not the only advantage of the eTorque system. The electric motor has two other uses. First, it is part of the engine start-stop system, restarting the engine faster than a conventional starter motor. Second, it can add up to 130 lb-ft of torque to the engine at low speeds, providing a significant advantage when towing and hauling. The result of eTorque is that it recycles energy and finds ways to use it on a continuous loop that improves the vehicle’s overall performance. Luxury manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have used mild-hybrid technology for the past few years. However, Ram is the only truck manufacturer to use the technology.

A common misconception that some still have regarding hybrids is that they aren’t as capable as traditional gasoline engines. Testing from such publications as Car & Driver and Popular Mechanics says otherwise. Both have attested that the eTorque system in the Ram 1500 really does boost performance rather than inhibiting it in any way. In many tests, it was found that eTorque provided a smoother ride and allowed the vehicle to be quicker off the line compared to a purely gasoline-powered truck. That is why Ram has made eTorque standard for the 2023 model year.

The “Three Rs” of eTorque

For several years, the goal of being more environmentally responsible has been synonymous with what some refer to as the “three Rs.” Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Nowhere is this process more vividly represented than with the eTorque system that Ram has chosen to utilize in its fleet of trucks. By recycling the energy generated by the vehicle and reusing it to improve performance, Ram has effectively reduced the strain on the engine, which reduces emissions and improves performance.

The responsibility of taking better care of the planet to ensure its longevity for future generations falls on everyone, both inside the automotive industry and out. At Orange Coast CJDRF, you’ll see this practice in action. As you know, Southern California has always attempted to initiate change to better protect the environment. You can do your part by choosing to own and operate vehicles equipped with hybrid technology.

The 2023 Ram 1500, with its standard eTorque mild-hybrid systems, is a wonderful way to make a sustainable contribution towards environmental responsibility. Shopping with us at Orange Coast CDJR, you’ll find not only the hybrid versions of the Ram 1500 but a wide variety of new and used hybrid vehicles for sale that are held to the highest standards of quality. Californians expect big things and a better world; we’re glad to offer both.