Freedom Dodge Chrysler Jeep Awaits Release of Natural Gas Powered Ram

Online, March 16, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Following requests by fleet customers, who have developed their own CNG (compressed natural gas) fueling infrastructures, Chrysler Group LLC has announced plans for the Ram 2500 CNG.

Dodge modified the Ram's 5.7L HEMI engine to burn both natural gas and gasoline. While a small amount of gasoline is still required for the engine to start, it is able to operate exclusively on natural gas. It automatically switches to backup gasoline tanks when the CNG tanks are empty. The Ram 2500 CNG reportedly runs 255 miles on natural gas alone, with the gasoline supply extending the distance to 367 total miles.

Natural gas is measured in GGEs, which have been calculated to have the same equivalent energy as one gallon of gasoline, and are priced in dollars per GGE. Currently, one GGE is around $1.25 less than one gallon of gasoline. CNG prices are predicted to remain more stable than gasoline, as the US imports more than 60% of its oil while 98% of natural gas used in the US comes from North America. This could be significant over the life of a truck, if one can get past the approximate $10,000 price difference between the CNG and traditional Ram.

The other hurdle to consumer ownership is the undeveloped CNG refueling infrastructure. There are currently only around 1,500 stations in the country, which makes use outside of fleets less than convenient. However, energy industry officials are quick to point out that many homes already use natural gas and could be equipped and used to refuel CNG vehicles much as they have been to charge electric cars.

In addition to fuel savings, CNG vehicles reportedly emit 20% less carbon dioxide, 70% less carbon monoxide, and 87% less nitrogen oxides than gasoline vehicles. The US currently ranks 14th in the world for natural gas vehicles, with close to 150,000 on the road in the US and an estimated 13 million internationally.

The Ram 2500 CNG is available as a Crew Cab 4x4 in either an ST or
SLT trim level. Dodge plans availability in July of 2012, but you can see many current Ram trucks and other models today at Freedom Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Texas.