What Is eTorque?

With their tough design and many customization options, Ram trucks are one of the best options for truck owners in Georgetown. If you’ve been searching for a used Ram 1500 for sale, you may have noticed that some of them include engines with eTorque. This system is also available on some Jeep vehicles. But what exactly is eTorque? Should you be actively trying to find a Ram 1500 with eTorque, or is it just a nice bonus?

The team at Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown is frequently asked about eTorque and what it can offer truck and SUV owners. If you’re curious whether eTorque is right for you, read this guide to learn more about eTorque and the models you can purchase with it.

How Does eTorque Work?

eTorque is a type of mild hybrid technology found only in Ram, Jeep, and some Chrysler vehicles. That, of course, leads to the question, “What is a mild hybrid?” Well, it’s a system that can work in tandem with a gasoline/diesel engine to control functions such as braking and air conditioning but cannot power the vehicle by itself the way a regular hybrid powertrain can.

Mild hybrid vehicles typically contain a regenerative electric motor and a low-voltage battery. In the case of eTorque, the normal alternator is replaced by a belt-driven motor generator; every time the engine runs, it sends a 48-volt current to a water-cooled battery pack that can hold up to 430 watt-hours of electricity. It includes a DC-to-DC converter that “steps down” the current to 12 volts, allowing the eTorque pack to charge the vehicle’s normal starter battery and run other electrical accessories, such as the locks and stereo system. eTorque also helps turn the crankshaft when the vehicle is starting up.

In addition to the current from the running engine, the motor generator draws current from a process called “brake regeneration.” Energy is created when the vehicle is braking and otherwise decelerating; instead of this energy becoming waste heat, it is turning into additional current to help keep the battery pack fully charged. In the Ram 1500, the pack is attached to the rear wall of the cabin and has insulation to reduce noise from the cooling fans. The battery is also cooled by the AC unit, so the fans don’t have to work as hard.

What Are the Benefits of eTorque?

There are plenty of reasons to get a used Ram truck with eTorque, including the following…

• Thanks to eRoll Assist, you get better acceleration than with an ordinary gas-powered engine. This supplemental torque gets electric power to the wheels during the first half-rotation from a complete stop before the engine power kicks in, allowing you to get up to speed faster.
• Although the eTorque battery pack doesn’t increase overall torque, it delivers the torque to your powertrain much faster. Torque travels to the wheels in just 0.4 seconds—less than half the time as it would from a 12V battery. That can make a big difference when you’re towing heavy equipment, going up steep inclines, or driving across off-road terrain.
• The Stop/Start function can quickly shut off the engine and restart it using the 48V battery pack. With the engine automatically shutting off when coasting, braking, or idling, you get better fuel mileage. The battery pack can run everything for up to ten minutes when fully charged, which has you covered in rush hour traffic. (You’ll still need the 12V battery for electrical compatibility and for cold-starting the vehicle in below-freezing temperatures.)
• With both upshift and downshift rev matching, eTorque automatically accelerates or decelerates the engine as needed to make shifting smoother. Not only does this get rid of lurching, but it lowers the strain on the transmission; it doesn’t have to reduce speed like in a gasoline-only powertrain. The downshift matching also saves fuel since you aren’t using it to speed up the engine.
• In engines with cylinder deactivation tech (for conserving fuel), eTorque provides extra torque when shifting in and out of this mode, so your driving experience isn’t disrupted.
• Since the 48V battery is powering the electrical system, power isn’t leaching away from the engine, leaving more in reserve for when you need it.
• It is simpler than a full hybrid system and costs much less, making it a more affordable, eco-friendly solution.

Using mild hybrid technologies such as eTorque can significantly improve overall fuel efficiency versus conventional gasoline powertrains. For comparison, the debut 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque gets an EPA-estimated 23 MPG combined city/highway with two-wheel-drive. By comparison, the 2018 Ram 1500 with the same-size engine and no eTorque gets an EPA-estimated 20 MPG combined. That’s a difference of 15%! You also reduce emissions because the Stop/Start design means the engine isn’t constantly idling.

When you add in the improved acceleration and reduced torque lag, the advantages of an eTorque truck or SUV are clear. Not only that, but the vehicle looks and sounds like it has a normal internal combustion engine. It’s been called the “silent saver” for the way it saves you fuel and money while barely making a peep. You don’t need to switch to diesel, either!

Which Ram Trucks Have eTorque?

As mentioned, eTorque was introduced for the 2019 Ram model year. Currently, the Ram 1500 from 2019 onward is the only available Ram truck with eTorque, as the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 do not have an eTorque engine option.

You can get the Ram 1500 with a 3.6L V6 Pentastar mild hybrid or a 5.7L V8 HEMI mild hybrid engine. The V6 eTorque engine has a claimed 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, while the V8 eTorque has 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. These are the same horsepower ratings as the engines had pre-2019, so you’re not sacrificing any power. It should be noted the system adds 90 lbs to the V6 and 120 lbs to the V8, but the performance improvements more than offset this weight.

Which Jeeps Have eTorque?

If you’re shopping for the Jeep nameplate, there are a few choices. Each 2019 and 2020 Jeep Wrangler with the 2.0L Turbo I-4 engine uses eTorque. You can get the 2020 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara edition with eTorque if choosing the eight-speed automatic transmission. Then, beginning in 2021, Jeep Wrangler eTorque technology switched from the Turbo I-4 to the base 3.6L V6—and, again, you must get an automatic transmission if you want eTorque.

As for other Jeep models, the 2022 Wagoneer with a 5.7L HEMI engine has eTorque. However, a Turbo I-6 replaced the HEMI in 2023, taking the eTorque feature with it. Currently, no other Jeep or Ram models use eTorque.

Get an eTorque Ram 1500 Today

Engines with eTorque are a great option for people who want to improve their fuel efficiency, acceleration, and eco-friendliness but aren’t yet ready for a full hybrid or electric truck. You’ll operate these models just like the Ram 1500 or Jeep Wrangler you’re already accustomed to, as the eTorque system quietly works behind the scenes to give you a better driving experience.

Visit Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown to find a used Ram 1500 for sale with eTorque technology. It will yield huge benefits, whether you’re commuting downtown, driving across the Kentucky backroads, or heading out on a weekend camping adventure. We have a full selection of pre-owned Ram 1500s in stock with a lifetime powertrain warranty on most vehicles.

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