Chrysler Group demonstrated a military version of the Dodge Ram HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), developed jointly with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) - National Automotive Center (NAC). The vehicle was developed in conjunction with the Army's Commercially Based Tactical Truck (COMBATT) program. The COMBATT HEV achieves about 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and reduced tailpipe emissions compared with a comparable conventional Ram. When the vehicle is parked, the hybrid powertrain converts to an electric generator to provide 12.5 kW continuous electric power or up to 30 kW peak electric power, eliminating the need for portable generators at remote sites. The COMBATT Ram HEV is based on the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab 4x4 pickup equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. The vehicle can be operated in either diesel-electric hybrid or electric-only ("stealth") modes. The COMBATT Ram HEV is equipped with a 5.9L Cummins 24-valve diesel engine and 47 RE 4-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is also equipped with run-flat tires, a central tire inflation system that enables operators to run in different terrains and surfaces, and a hydro-pneumatic suspension system that enhances operation in severe off-road conditions. The vehicle developed for the Army will capitalize on several of the Ram HEV's capabilities: - On-board battery capacity ena-bling a 'Stealth' operating mode and “Silent Watch” capability. - 110, 220 VAC and 208 VA 3-phase power availability. Chrysler Group has also developed a non-hybrid version of the COMBATT truck, also based on the Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab 4x4 and also equipped with the 5.9L Cummins 24-valve diesel engine. That vehicle provides equivalent capabilities in off-road and other challenging terrains. Chrysler Group is also developing a Dodge Ram HEV for commercial applications, such as the construction and utility industries. The vehicle, based on the all-new Ram pickup, will be available in 1500 and 2500 models with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive and equipped with various gasoline engines.
Chrysler Group, U.S. Army Adapt Dodge Ram HEV for Military Applications
Chrysler Group demonstrated a military version of the Dodge Ram HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), developed jointly with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) - National Automotive Center (NAC).
More Operations
Lytx Introduces New AI Fleet Technologies at Protect 2026
The company introduced new AI-driven fleet safety and operations technologies during its annual user conference.
Read More →
Fleet Costs Are Rising: Here’s How Leaders Are Responding
Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.
Read More →
From Waffle House to AI: Fleet Trends You Need to Know
In this AF news recap, host Faith Howell covers how Waffle House stepped up during disaster response and new AI tech on the market.
Read More →
Fleet Operations in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethical and Legal Challenges
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
Read More →
Factory Installed vs. Aftermarket: Choosing the Right Telematics Path & Managing the Data
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Read More →
What Real-Time Data Reveals About EV Cost, Performance, and Scalability
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
Read More →
Planning Through Policy Shifts: What Fleets Must Track in 2026
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
Read More →
Managing Market Turbulence with Strategic Fleet Insights
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
Read More →
Adapting Fleet Policy When Disasters Strike
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
Read More →
EV Reality Check: How Fleets Are Managing Policy Shifts, Safety, and Scaling Challenges
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
Read More →