With the EcoDiesel engine being a late availability in the 2019 Ram 1500, FCA appears to have begun stockpiling 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels on a lot that is a part of the old Pontiac Silverdome property in Pontiac, Michigan. With the lawsuit between the U.S EPA and FCA finally coming to an end you can bet that FCA wants to get Ram EcoDiesels back on dealer lots.
For those that are unfamiliar with the matter in January 2017 the EPA accused FCA of cheating on diesel emissions with the 3.0 EcoDiesel in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. Unlike the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal in which the automaker used engine control software to “cheat” the EPA tests, FCA was accused of having auxiliary emissions control devices in their engine control software. While this is not against EPA regulations the issue is that the EPA alleges FCA did not notify the EPA of those control devices which is required by law. The EPA alleges that when these auxiliary emissions control devices are running that the EcoDiesels emit higher than allowed NOx (nitrous oxides emissions) under the clean air act. It is important to note that many automakers run auxiliary emissions control devices to protect engines under certain conditions.
Due to the timing of the EPA’s investigation, FCA was eventually allowed to produce and sell 2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels that had already been previously ordered, provided they updated the engine calibration and had it re-tested by the EPA. As these photos show FCA has begun producing 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesels – we are told that are roughly 300 currently sitting in this lot. As soon as the EPA clears these trucks for sale they will begin making their way to dealers. The EcoDiesel will be available in the 2019 Ram 1500 as a late availability option and until then will be available in the 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2019 Ram 1500 “Classic.” We have also been informed by one of our Canadian sources that the EcoDiesel will be available in the 2018 Ram 1500 Sport for the first time.
5thGenRams will stay on top of this story and let you know as soon as the EcoDiesel is cleared for sale by the EPA, we are also currently digging to find the start of production date for the all new 2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Make sure you’re checking back regularly for the latest news and don’t forget to visit our Forums.
UPDATED: We have been in contact with FCA’s regulatory compliance division and have been informed that the 2018 EcoDiesels have infact been cleared for sale by the EPA.
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