Stellantis Exec Says Hydrogen-Powered Ram 5500 Is Coming

In a recent interview with the German publication Welt am Sonntag, Stellantis’ Chief Technology Officer for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Development, Jean-Michel Billig, unveiled an exciting development in the automotive industry—a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Ram 5500 destined for the North American market in the next year. This groundbreaking move underscores Stellantis’ commitment to sustainability and innovation in the heavy-duty truck segment.

“In the coming decade, we expect a significant market share for this technology; for commercial vehicles, it could be up to 40%,” said Billig.

One of the key advantages of hydrogen fuel cells lies in their energy density and fast refueling capabilities, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications like the Ram 5500. Unlike battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) boast lighter weight and quicker refueling times, ensuring minimal disruption to operational efficiency.

Hydrogen has garnered widespread attention across industries and governments as a vital tool in the fight against global greenhouse gas emissions. As a carbon-free energy carrier, hydrogen holds immense potential, particularly in sectors like transportation and electricity generation.

Stellantis has been actively exploring hydrogen technology, initially introducing medium-duty commercial vehicles equipped with fuel cells in late 2022. While initial sales figures have been modest, Billig remains optimistic about the future, envisioning a significant increase in production to 100,000 units annually by 2030.

The upcoming Ram 5500 marks a significant milestone in Stellantis’ hydrogen roadmap, being the first vehicle from Stellantis in North America to feature a hydrogen powertrain. This move aligns with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 initiative, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility across all segments.

While Ram hasn’t officially announced the truck, there isn’t a lot of information about the truck available.

Cummins, who has a longtime partnership with Ram, producing the popular turbodiesel engines that have been powering Ram Heavy Duty trucks since 1989, has been producing a number of hydrogen variants of its engine lineup. Cummins recently introduced the B6.7H, a hydrogen version of the 6.7-liter engine, designed to power medium-duty commercial trucks. Speculation suggests that the B6.7H could potentially drive the new hydrogen fuel cell Ram 5500, highlighting the synergy between Cummins and Ram in advancing green transportation solutions.

In addition to the hydrogen-powered Ram 5500, Stellantis continues to explore alternative propulsion methods, including the forthcoming Ramcharger—a series hybrid featuring a 92-kWh plug-in battery pack. Scheduled for release as a 2025 model, the Ramcharger offers an impressive electric-only range of 145 miles, with a gasoline Pentastar V6 engine serving as a range extender for extended journeys.

Stay tuned as we will continue to gather information about this new Ram 5500 as more details become available.