Chrysler Canada:Ram to Build North America’s Only OEM Compressed Natural Gas-powered Pickup

March 5, 2012 , Windsor, Ontario -  Today, Ram Truck announced it will become the only manufacturer in North America to offer a factory-built compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) truck.

The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup is designed for fleet and commercial customers and offers cost and emissions benefits, using an abundant, domestically sourced fuel.

“Commercial customers are extremely important to Ram Truck,” said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck President and CEO Ram Truck Brand– Chrysler Group LLC. ”Adding a hard-working, fully capable CNG-powered truck to the Ram lineup makes a lot of sense – both economically and environmentally.”

Bi-fuel
The Ram HD CNG is powered by the 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 and features both compressed gas storage tanks and a 30-litre (8-gallon) gasoline fuel tank.

The Ram’s 5.7-litre HEMI bi-fuel engine has been modified to run on compressed natural gas as well as gasoline. Redesigned heads with specifically designed CNG compatible valves and valve-seat materials allow the engine to burn both fuels. It also gets a second, CNG-specific fuel rail and set of injectors. New spark plugs improve combustion and durability, and a new powertrain control module allows the HEMI to operate on either of the two fuel sources. Canadian customers can opt for a 132-litre (35-gallon) gasoline tank (late availability).

The Ram 2500 CNG system was fully engineered and tested by Chrysler Group and built entirely at the company’s Heavy Duty truck plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

In use, the system is automatic; eliminating operator switches altogether and utilizes either CNG or gasoline, seamlessly transitioning from one to the other with little discernable difference in operation or capability.

Although a small amount of gasoline is used during engine startup, the Ram CNG runs exclusively on compressed natural gas. If the CNG tanks are emptied, the vehicle will automatically switch to gasoline.

In addition to a conventional gasoline fuel gauge, a second CNG-specific gauge sits adjacent to it in the instrument cluster.

CNG-only range is estimated to be 410 kilometres (255 miles), while the backup supply of the 30L gasoline tank extends the range to 590 total kilometres (367 miles).

The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG’s two ultra-strong 4.6 cu.-ft. CNG tanks are located in the forward portion of the Ram’s 8-foot pickup bed. Both tanks are mounted to the frame and covered by a painted 50 ksi high-strength steel cover. The CNG filler connection is located next to the gasoline fuel neck, accessed through the Ram’s fuel filler door.

The CNG tanks provide a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of 68.9 litres (18.2 gallons).

GGEs are calculated as having the same energy equivalent as one gallon (U.S.) of gasoline.

Capability
The Ram 2500 CNG retains its heavy-duty capability: competent towing, payload hauling and outstanding acceleration for highway merging and passing.

Ram 2500 CNG offers up to 717 kg (1,580 lb.) of payload, 4-ft.-8-in. usable bed length and up to 3,470 kg (7,650 lb.) of towing capability when properly equipped.

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.

Like every Ram 2500 Heavy Duty model, the 2012 Ram CNG’s brake system reflects distinctive advantages, with huge, oversize 14-inch rotors and calipers to match. Front GAWR is rated up to 2,359 kg (5,200 lb.) — ideal for northern climates requiring snow plow attachments.

Clean Energy
Natural gas is an abundant resource in North America and is a common fuel source for large vehicle fleets.

CNG comes primarily from underground sources in Canada and the U.S. It is plentiful and offers lower tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline or diesel fuel. In fact, CNG vehicles emit 20 per cent 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 per cent less carbon monoxide, 87 per cent less NOx than traditional gasoline powered vehicles.

CNG is a mature technology that’s available at a lower cost than other alternative fuels. It’s further supported by positive consumer attitudes regarding green products and favourable governmental regulations and policy initiatives.

CNG technology is a viable near-term option to lessen transportation system dependence on crude oil.

Fleet Solutions
The Ram 2500 CNG integrates the proven architecture of the 5.7-Litre HEMI engine with a factory-installed natural gas system and will be sold through regular commercial sales channels.

The advanced technology found in the Ram 2500 CNG gives it the same power, performance, and capability of a conventional Ram truck.

“This technology is ready now and offers a viable solution along with number one fleet ‘reason to buy’ which is lower total cost of ownership,” said Peter Grady, Vice President, Network Development and Fleet – Chrysler Group LLC. “Delivering a factory-built Ram 2500 CNG underscores the importance of commercial and fleet customers to Ram Truck Brand.”

5-year/100-000-kilometre Warranty
A 5-year/100-000 kilometre powertrain limited warranty covers the HEMI V8 and transmission, and adds the internal engine components specific to CNG: the upgraded valves, the valve seats, and the specially designed spark plugs — all part of the factory installed manufacturing and production processes.

Covering virtually every other aspect of the Ram 2500 CNG is a 3-year/60,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Specific to the CNG engineering, this covers all non-engine components, including the tanks, storage compartment and fuel filler equipment.

In addition, large fleet operations frequently install both quick-fill and slow-fill CNG fueling stations. Furthermore, the Ram CNG’s bi-fuel capability allows it to operate on gasoline indefinitely, until CNG can be added.

Ram executives expect customers for the new Ram 2500 HD CNG to include telecommunications companies, public utilities, natural gas production firms and government agencies.

Expanded CNG vehicle offerings and wider adoption of CNG as a primary fuel are expected to serve as a catalyst for expanded CNG product offerings and greater investment in CNG fueling infrastructure.

Fiat and CNG
Fiat is by far the dominant CNG manufacturer in Europe with a greater than 80 percent share of the market. Fiat sales of compressed natural gas vehicles in Europe have exceeded 480,000 passenger cars and light duty vehicles (1997-2011).

Moreover, since 1995, Iveco (Fiat Industrial’s truck and commercial vehicles division) has focused heavily on natural gas propulsion, and is now the European leader in research and sale of natural gas vehicles, with 11,000 units now in use by private companies and public authorities.

(For further information: www.fiatspa.com and www.fiatindustrial.com.)

Facts about Natural Gas Vehicles

• There are approximately 12,000 Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) on Canadian roads
• The International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles estimates that there will be more than 50 million natural gas vehicles worldwide within the next 10 years, or about 9 percent of the world transportation fleets
• NGVs can be refueled from existing natural gas lines. This makes home refueling stations that utilize such lines possible 

Availability
The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup will make its Canadian premiere on March 14 during the GLOBE™ Series of Conferences and Trade Fairs in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company expects to deliver the first vehicles in July 2012.

The Ram 2500 CNG is available exclusively as a Crew Cab 4x4 model with 169-inch wheelbase, in either an ST or SLT trim level.

About the Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they'd like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

About Chrysler Canada
Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, Chrysler Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 87th anniversary in 2012. Chrysler Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, one of the world's leading automotive companies. Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat, S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT, Fiat and Mopar® vehicles and products. Chrysler Canada's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Durango, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500.