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Stellantis Enhances EV Education By Supplying 12 New Ram ProMaster Electric Vans To Students
The Battery Workforce Challenge, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Stellantis, and Argonne National Laboratory, recently distributed keys for 12 new 2024 Ram ProMaster electric vans. Chris Feuell, CEO of Chrysler and Ram brands, along with Mark Champine, Stellantis senior vice president, were present to hand over the keys to students tasked with designing advanced battery packs for these vehicles.
The 2024 Ram ProMaster EV is tailored for electrification with its unibody design that seamlessly integrates the production battery pack. This commercial van offers students a unique chance to innovate in battery design for larger vehicles. The competition began in 2023 and involves 12 university teams from North America paired with local community colleges through a selective process.
The Battery Workforce Challenge is part of a broader DOE initiative aimed at nurturing skilled engineers and technicians to advance domestic battery technology. It includes regional training with vocational colleges, STEM education for youth, and an online tool for career education. This program seeks to build a diverse workforce ready to tackle future challenges in battery technology.
Students participating in this challenge gain practical experience by working closely with industry experts on real-world engineering problems. "The Battery Workforce Challenge students continue to impress us with their creative ideas and overall EV knowledge as we’ve seen during this week’s fall workshops," said Micky Bly, Stellantis senior vice president and head of global propulsion systems.
This week, the student teams gathered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, near Detroit, for four days of learning and collaboration with electric vehicle experts. Jeffrey Marootian from the DOE highlighted the importance of hands-on learning: "The ability for the teams to experience hands-on learning working with the Ram ProMaster EVs is essential to the EV workforce of the future and advancing EV transportation technologies."
The competition will conclude in 2026. Winning teams will receive numerous awards related to engineering and sponsorship categories, $100,000 in prize money from industry partners, and invaluable experience working alongside industry leaders.
Ram ProMaster EV Features
The new Ram ProMaster EV is the brand's first fully electrified vehicle available in two mission-specific configurations: delivery model and cargo models. The cargo version comes in two sizes—12-foot and extended 13-foot lengths—both maintaining a flat floor due to the centrally positioned battery under the vehicle's floor.
With an estimated range of up to 162 miles for city driving, this van maintains its cargo volume similar to internal combustion engine models. This makes it an efficient choice for urban deliveries while supporting sustainable transportation goals.
Stellantis North America's Role
Stellantis is renowned as one of the leading automakers globally. In North America, it is known for producing iconic brands like Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat. Stellantis aims not only to be a major player but also a leader in sustainable mobility technology by creating value for stakeholders and communities alike.
The selected universities and vocational partners are integral to this initiative's success as they prepare students for high-quality jobs building future batteries within the United States.
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