Several automakers have experimented with mild-hybrid trucks. But only one pickup truck offers a mild-hybrid version of every gasoline engine: the Ram 1500. Purists can still order a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with none of the eTorque bells and whistles. But you can also get a Ram 1500 with either a Pentastar V6 or HEMI V8 with the eTorque mild-hybrid system.

What is better hybrid or mild hybrid?

Fully hybrid drivetrains offer excellent fuel efficiency but are expensive and can be complex to repair. Some are relatively slow in gasoline-only mode. Mild hybrids work with existing gasoline engines to smooth out the auto start/stop mode and add one or two mpg.

only 1 full-size pickup truck offers every gas engine as a mild hybrid

2022 Ram 1500 Laramie G/T | Stellantis

The Ram 1500’s eTorque system is classified as a “mild-hybrid” drivetrain. Fully hybrid engines include an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission, or transmission and driveshaft. This motor can propel the vehicle without the internal combustion engine and charge the batteries with regenerative braking.

The eTorque mild-hybrid drivetrain combines the traditional alternator and starter motor into a single unit, connected to the front of the engine with a heavy-duty serpentine belt. The gasoline engine shuts off when you come to a stop. When you press the accelerator, this electric motor launches the truck off the line and the gasoline engine starts up immediately.

When you tap the brakes, the electric motor/generator on the front of the engine adds some friction, slowing the entire driveline. It uses this force to recharge the 48-volt battery behind the Ram 1500’s seat for its next launch.

Heavy-duty Ram truck buyers cannot yet order the 6.4-liter HEMI with the eTorque system. But Stellantis has engineered an eTorque system for the 6.4-liter HEMI in its Grand Wagoneer, so we expect to see it available in the Ram 2500-5500 soon.

Here’s a video explaining the Ram 1500’s eTorque system:

Is Ram eTorque any good?

The Ram 1500’s eTorque mild-hybrid system does exactly what its engineered to: it adds a couple mpg of fuel efficiency while smoothing out the auto start/stop functionality. The result is a truck that drives like a regular gasoline-powered V6 or V8 pickup with slightly better fuel efficiency.

only 1 full-size pickup truck offers every gas engine as a mild hybrid

Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter V8 with eTorque | Stellantis

Fans of fully hybrid systems such as the Ford F-150 PowerBoost or the Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX might be disappointed by the Ram 1500’s mild-hybrid’s slight fuel-efficiency improvement. But fans of traditional V6 and V8 engines will appreciate the familiar performance of an eTorque equipped Ram.

So is Ram’s eTorque system any good? That completely depends on what you are looking for in your truck’s powertrain.

What trucks have hybrids?

The 2022 Ford F-150 is available with a PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain: a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 paired with an electric motor and 10-speed automatic. The mid-year 2022 Toyota Tundra will be available with the very similar i-FORCE MAX. Ram offers its V6 and V8-powered mild-hybrid eTorque system that evens out the start/stop function. You can also find several used GM pickups with hybrid drivetrains.

only 1 full-size pickup truck offers every gas engine as a mild hybrid

2022 Ram 1500 start button | Stellantis

At this point, more full-size pickup trucks have offered a hybrid engine option than have not. The only full-size pickup truck that has never offered any form of full or mild-hybrid is the Nissan Titan. That said, the Ram 1500’s mild-hybrid system is a very different drivetrain, at a different pricepoint, than the fully-hybrid options from Ford and Toyota.

General Motors first offered a “micro-hybrid” version of its Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra back in 2004. This truck had a small electric motor on the flywheel of its transmission, just capable of charging its battery and starting its engine.

In 2009, GM launched a full hybrid version of its Silverado/Sierra with a 6.0-liter V8 and CVT transmission. But slow acceleration made this option a flop outside of fleet buyers and GM discontinued it in 2013.

Keyword: Only 1 Full-Size Pickup Truck Offers Every Gas Engine as a Mild Hybrid

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Best cars for a 'Love Bug' remake

Tennessee’s Yard Art The Thorndyke Special The Hot Rod The Hippie Van Jim’s Lamborghini Growing up, it’s safe to say my absolute favorite movie was Disney’s “The Love Bug.” As a kid living in a world before Pixar’s “Cars,” it was pretty much the best car movie. I loved ...

View more: Best cars for a 'Love Bug' remake

Audi timing belt tensioner prompts Utah bomb squad visit

An aftermarket timing belt tensioner found in a Salt Lake City apartment prompted a visit from the bomb squad this week after it was mistaken for a potential explosive device. Police partially evacuated the apartment complex in which it was found “out of an abundance of caution” and called ...

View more: Audi timing belt tensioner prompts Utah bomb squad visit

2023 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 will get more expensive

GMC Sierra HD pickups are about to get more expensive again after recently becoming more expensive, according to GM Authority. In July, GMC and Buick raised the prices on certain vehicles in their lineups anywhere from $975 to $1,675 by making the previously optional OnStar a standard feature. Next ...

View more: 2023 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 will get more expensive

Our week with EVs: Recapping the diverse collection of electric cars we tested

Mercedes-Benz EQB First Drive Review: Next electric Benz is a little different 2022 Chevy Bolt EV Road Test Review: Time to play EV, gas or airplane 2023 Genesis GV60 Road Test Review: The third of Hyundai Group’s E-GMP EVs is the fastest, but softest It may be hard to ...

View more: Our week with EVs: Recapping the diverse collection of electric cars we tested

Europe car sales lowest since 1996 after 12-month decline

BERLIN – Europe registered the lowest number of new passenger cars in the month of June this year since 1996 at just over 1.06 million vehicles, with some carmakers seeing sales drop by nearly 50%, data from Europe’s automobile association showed on Friday. Volkswagen Group was the hardest-hit major ...

View more: Europe car sales lowest since 1996 after 12-month decline

More Than Just A Carmaker: Toyota Motor PH Launches Toyota Mobility Solutions

Automotive industry leader, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) inaugurated today Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. (TMSPH), a wholly owned subsidiary that will be a provider of mobility-related services. TMSPH ventures into the development and offering of a range of ‘new mobility solutions’ that will enhance Toyota as a brand ...

View more: More Than Just A Carmaker: Toyota Motor PH Launches Toyota Mobility Solutions

'F1 22' feels fast and familiar | Gaming Roundup

‘F1 22’ impressions ‘Construction Simulator’ is launching Sept. 20 Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. This week in racing game news: ‘F1 22’ impressions At its core, “F1 22,” the latest installment in the F1 ...

View more: 'F1 22' feels fast and familiar | Gaming Roundup

Watch a single-engine plane crash-land on 91 Freeway in California

A single-engine Piper Cherokee airplane was forced to crash land on the 91 Freeway in California after losing power about 45 minutes outside of Los Angeles. Yes, that means this was a very busy highway, practically bursting at the seams with traffic. No, amazingly nobody died, either in the ...

View more: Watch a single-engine plane crash-land on 91 Freeway in California

Ford files 'Mustang Dark Horse' trademark application

Make adventures more comfortable with high-quality Jeep grab handles

New Lucid Air variant to debut & Stealth Look to be on display during Monetary Car Week

Chevy offers incentives to prevent Corvette Z06 flipping

Average U.S. gas price falls below $4/gallon

German court: SUV driver must pay more than a car for running red light

Australian vehicle crash tests to include underwater performance

Toyota C-HR rumored to get revamp next year and an EV version

Geely's electric Zeekr 009 is an EV Alphard we never had; 700 km, 542 PS, top speed 190 km/h

A Newey, Brawn and Anderson row that shows F1 doesn’t change

Sorry, EV buyers, you won't get to pick your own pedestrian safety sounds

There won't be enough copper to meet climate goals, study indicates

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel