AdamChandler
Ram Guru
I currently have a 2020 Limited hemi 4x4 3.92. I've been 'considering' a 2021 limited ED 4x4. Not sure on gearing yet. I'm trying to justify the costs I suppose. The ED is what, 2/3s higher than the hemi on the build sheet? Plus 10c more a gallon give or take? So my truck, leveled, with 285/55/22 Nittos gets 14 city, 16ish on highway. I know the Eco will give better milege, but at what point do I see the benefit if i rarely tow? I'm talking overal cost to MPG. 1 year? 5?
Everyone has to do their own math because, where I am, rolling 24 month diesel prices are actually less than I’m paying today since my Volkswagen requires 93 which runs about $3.40 a gallon in NH. Diesel has been $2.70-$2.99 for last 24 months.
Upgrade cost on the Limited was $3200 more
3.92 Gearing for $95 extra
Here’s 42 EcoDiesels - https://www.fuelly.com/car/ram/1500/2021?engineconfig_id=238&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=
21 MPG average on that page BUT a lot of outliers here so since I plan on keeping low rolling resistant tires, Toneaux cover and keeping the air damn / shutters active and running in Eco mode on the air suspension. I’m going to conservatively stick with 25 MPG. I don’t have traffic where I live and mostly drive highways sub-73 MPH.
So I did the math for myself with Diesel at $2.90 a gallon, $3300 initial up front cost would mean that I’ll need to put about 1140 gallons in the vehicle to hit $3300.
But more importantly, my Volkswagen Golf gets 24 MPG and costs 14.1 cents a mile. The eco diesel will cost 12 cents a mile.
At a differential per mile of 2.1 cents per mile, it’s going to take a very long time for me personally to make back my eco diesel up front cost.
BUT, if you compare it to the Hemi V8 W/ e-torque which is standard on the Limited - https://www.fuelly.com/car/ram/1500/2021?engineconfig_id=411&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=
15.42 MPG OR @ my gasoline prices of about $3.00 a gallon rolling 87 octane over last 24 months, that’s a cost of 19 cents per mile OR about 7 cents more per mile than the diesel.
$3300 / .07 = 47,142 so that’s how many miles I have to drive before the eco diesel starts to pay for itself.
I’m leaving the price of the diesel filters out of this equation…maintenance is higher on the diesel.
For me, it comes down to more torque, visiting the gas station once a month, long road trips (I usually drive for 8 hours straight before I have to pee) and resale value as a Diesel pickup in northern New Hampshire/Vermont/Maine is highly desirable..they’re just more rare up here. So I’m happy with the decision.
You’ll need to track average fuel prices in your area and your HEMI MPG over last couple of years to find out your break-even odometer.