Ram Trucks, a leading manufacturer in the automotive industry, has recently shared its ambitious plans for a zero emissions future. In an interview with Snow Plow News, Ram Trucks’ representative emphasized the company’s commitment to electrification and its goal of offering electrified and fully electric solutions across all segments by 2025 and 2030, respectively. However, the unique challenges posed by snow removal operations require innovative solutions to ensure both capability and sustainability.
June 21, 2023 | Kaitlyn Mazza
Meeting the Demands of Snow Removal:
Snow removal poses a distinctive challenge due to the demanding duty cycles that snow removal operators endure. All plowers recognize that moving to an all-electric truck presents a rather big hurdle as plows and spreaders draw a great deal of power during operation and the truck is in use for a long period of time. As stated by David Sowers of Ram, “Everybody that removes snow has been part of a snow event that has lasted days, and they’ve worked longer than any human should work in a 24-hour period or over a week let’s say and pure electrification presents a little bit of a challenge for that because of the charging time that’s required.”
Weight and Payload Considerations:
Additionally, the current state of battery technology in terms of weight and payload capacity poses challenges for full-electric snowplow trucks. Electric vehicles tend to be heavier, which could detract from the ultimate vehicle capability required for effective snow removal. Ram Trucks acknowledges this obstacle and actively seeks solutions to strike a balance between a zero-emission future and maintaining the necessary capability.
Refueling and Recharging Efficiency:
A crucial aspect of snow plow operations is the ability to quickly refuel or recharge vehicles. Given the intensive use during snow events, it is essential to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. Ram Trucks aims to develop an electrified future that not only facilitates effective snow plowing but also ensures fast refueling or recharging cycles, allowing trucks to promptly return to the road.
Working on Alternatives:
David Sowers highlights that the development of full-electrified snow plow truck solutions is an ongoing process. Ram Trucks is actively exploring alternative options to address the unique challenges associated with snow removal. By embracing ingenuity and adopting varied solutions, the company is working towards providing capable vehicles that meet the demands of snow plow operations.
Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
Electrification for Different Applications:
While the timeline for a full-electrified snow plow truck solution remains uncertain, Ram Trucks assures customers that it is dedicated to meeting the needs within the snow & ice removal industry. Some vocations, such as final mile delivery, present an opportunity for earlier adoption of electric vehicles due to defined driving cycles, lesser capability requirements, and lower payload demands. Ram Trucks recognizes that as vehicle weight and specific applications increase, finding innovative solutions becomes imperative.
The Future of Electric Snow Plow Truck Solutions:
Ram Trucks’ commitment to a zero emissions future extends to all its segments, including heavy-duty vehicles like the 5500 chassis cabs. The company is confident that it will offer viable solutions for snowplow operations by the end of the decade. However, due to the complexities involved, including various challenges and ongoing development, an exact timeline for the availability of an electrified snow plow truck solution cannot be predicted.
To learn more about RAM Trucks, visit ramtrucks.com