Decent video although it felt a bit like a jumping on the "not EV" bandwagon because they read all their fellow industry pundits doing that.

The Mach E is the first EV I personally drove. I reviewed that drive on here somewhere. Ultimately, I as underwhelmed. I agree it definitely felt forced.

A lot of this video seemed to be saying "never mind the cost of building this vehicle it needs to either be a $30K priced tag as is, or it needs to be a $100K level vehicle they are selling for $50K."

I admit, I have a Cadillac LYRIQ on order that is now headed to production. I expect it to have some issues, but that's because I've been in the computer game for 40 years. However, the LYRIQ, at my net cost of about $60,000, is a LOT of car for the money. I would expect it to cost the same if it were the exact same car with a V6 twin turbo in it. I've driven one as a test drive for about 250 miles, and it's a great car. SuperCruise is amazing.

If they built an ICE version, I'd probably buy it instead, but they don't and not much else in that price range interests me.

Sales of EVs are down?
 

California report shows electric vehicles make up over 20% of sales, doubling over two years
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/p...ling-two-years
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/03...20at%2016.4%25.

Yikes
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/07/new-...generator.html

So, basically a Volt with a bigger battery.

Honestly, I may very well consider this. What I've always wanted was a hybrid with a 200 - 300 mile of EV range. Yes, I know all the arguments against it. This is probably about as close as I'll ever get.

So the range extender on the BMW i3 was enough to maintain the charge of the battery, so the car could be driven off the electric motors. The range extender wasn't connected to the drive wheels. The difference, the motor wasn't large enough to keep the battery charged at high duty like going fast or going up steep hills. It also didn't charge the battery. It was only enough to get to a charger, so it would minimize its impact of using fuel.

This is different. It can charge the battery, and it can probably operate on higher duty, but there will be a weight and efficiency penalty to have a larger engine and larger fuel tank, but it is a good solution for people with range anxiety or who are atypical in their use by towing far and towing often or with commuting far.

Hadn't thought about towing but this does certainly solve that problem (assuming as you say it charges the battery enough to meet the need). My guess would be this doesn't wait for a 0% SOC but clicks in at a point where the charging efficiency is there (say 20% SOC).

I don't tow anything, but if I did that would be another check box in favor of this RAM solution.

This is not unlike the way a diesel/electric train works, but without the battery storage.

I believe the i3 turned on automatically at a certain low charge, and it could be turned off entirely, so someone wouldn’t use the range extender if they were close to home to avoid emissions. I don’t think someone could activate it to always be on or to activate at 75% charge or something.

The Ram might do the same: turn off completely or toggle to activate in high demand situations or activate to recharge on demand. We will see how the EPA accounts for this in MPG ratings.

The big question is how much. 92kWh is a big battery, and though the Pentastar isn't expensive and comes without a 'box, that truck is bound to carry a big price tag.

That being said it might fare quite well, being that it addresses pretty much all arguments against EVs. Granted, it won't attract cummins buyers, but those buy larger trucks anyway (and they've gotten somewhat expensive too).

So the V6 "mild hybrid" Ram 1500 started at $31,305 in 2021 (Link). Take out the conventional transmission, driveshaft, rear diff, transfer case, and then add in a battery ($$$), EV motors ($), and I would expect a premium, but not gargantuan. The Lightening with its smallest pack starts at $50k. This will have turbo diesel power and then some in feel and performance.

https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploa...Callouts_2.jpg

My money is on 65-70 grand in base trim, and 75-80 in common configurations. Which, at the current interest rates, might be a bit of a tough sell.

I guess the base 1500 is more like $38-40k, where the classic in RWD, V6, single cab is $31k, but if you want to add a larger engine, crew cab, 4x4, etc then the price starts at $45k for the V8. This thing is going to have AWD, 660hp/615tq, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, 14k tow capacity, etc. with probably crew cab as standard and a nicer interior than the base tradesman. I think you are probably right. That seems to be similar to what they are offering in gas powered options.

As a mechanic my mind looks forward to when the warranty expires. In my experience, chrysler products are such pieces of shit in basic ice specification that adding the hybrid aspect will put food on the table of many service writers.

I agree that most of the reservations were for folks looking at the low end range (basically a Bolt replacement because at the time GM had not announced Bolt 2.0).

But, if I was going to spend $50K on the Tesla I would buy the high end of this instead. Primarily because of the Cabin configuration, although I do like the external design better as well.