The Eco vehicle phenomenon just keeps on rolling. Now we have a pick-up truck setting a whole new standard in fuel economy. Pick-ups are the muscle horsepower stallions, used to hard work and vastly popular in the US. They are now making big hits in the UK. Although they have not been known for their fuel economy until now, the Dodge Ram 1500 has just set a new benchmark.
The Dodge Ram 1500 saves more fuel by a clear margin than all other pick-ups on the market with its V6 Eco Diesel Engine.
Motor trend magazine ran some mpg tests and the Ram 1500 pushes 19-27 miles per gallon (mpg) depending on the test circumstances (off road or highway) and we have a manufactures claim of hitting 35mpg. That is a welcome increase on the best fuel economy ever recorded for a pick-up truck.
Now you might not think that sounds a huge deal when you compare it to the Eco cars coming out of production in recent years, but compared to the next best pick-up on the market, the Chevrolet Silverado which pushes around 16-20 mpg, you can see that it is a significant improvement.
“This is very comparable to just a mid-sized SUV” said Jake Fisher from director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. “The Ram Dodge 1500 is the only truck to offer turbo diesel technology and now it will be interesting to see what bearing this will have on the pick-up truck market”.
This great pick up truck is currently looking forward to getting across the pond and hitting the UK. We spoke with 51st State Autos who are a leading UK importer of the Dodge Ram 1500 who said that “The Rams are pre-selling well and we’re looking forward to strong trade in this innovative vehicle.” 51st State Autos told us that “We have welcomed this technological advancement into the industry. It should entice more people to buy trucks”.
This improved fuel economy is a great addition to the range but as you would expect, it has got a price tag attached to it. The V6 EcoDiesel engine can add a premium to the cost of the pickup and Diesel fuel also costs around 20 pence more per gallon. However, if you drove this pick-up with an average of 12,000 miles per year, you would save 200 gallons a year.
With these figures you could recoup your investment within 4 years, but also be comforted by the fact that diesel trucks hold their value better than their petrol counterparts.
Something that should be taken into consideration is the fact that there is a little more maintenance involved due to the diesel engine. For example, the emissions fluid has to be replaced about as often as the oil needs to be changed. This can be done by the driver and will only cost around £30.
If the price is right in the first place, and the driver is going to own the vehicle for long enough to recoup the money when buying a truck with an EcoDiesel engine, then the new Dodge Ram 1500 is a fantastic choice for buyers who are looking for a super pick-up with green credentials.
