by A New Player in the Service Vehicle Market
If you get pulled over by the police, there’s a high chance they’ll be behind the wheel of a Ford. This brand dominates the law enforcement market, but Stellantis has found a niche for a heavy-duty vehicle.
They are filling it with the 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle, which is the “first and only 3/4-ton pickup with pursuit-rated performance.” It is based on the 2500 Special Service Vehicle and designed for the needs of law enforcement, as well as fire and rescue services, while retaining the towing and payload capabilities characteristic of heavy-duty pickups.
Essentially, it’s a multi-purpose vehicle capable of performing a variety of tasks. This makes it well-suited for many departments, especially in western regions.
Design and Equipment
Externally, the model looks like a regular Ram 2500. However, the Emergency Response Vehicle rides on 18-inch steel wheels designed to “withstand intense field use.” The model also has a transfer case skid plate and a five-link rear suspension with coil springs, which improves handling during pursuits.
Ram didn’t say much about the interior, but it features a column-mounted gear selector, as well as additional switches on the dashboard. These are complemented by a Vehicle Systems Interface Module and dedicated electrical circuits to facilitate the installation of additional equipment. Vinyl flooring and seats are also to be expected.
Heart and Character
The vehicle is powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that delivers 405 hp (302 kW) and 429 lb-ft (581 Nm) of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. This allows the pickup to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 8.4 seconds and from 0 to 100 mph (0-160 km/h) in 20.5 seconds. Its top speed is tire-limited at 103 mph (166 km/h).
The model also features a 4.10 axle ratio and a locking rear differential. Departments will also appreciate the presence of two alternators to power numerous police equipment.
Testing at the Limit
The pickup recently underwent testing by the Michigan State Police, the country’s leading organization for evaluating law enforcement vehicles. In addition to the performance characteristics mentioned above, they found that the vehicle’s average braking distance is 170.13 feet (51.9 meters) from 60 mph (96 km/h), which is 21.82 feet (6.7 meters) longer than the Ford F-150 Police Responder.
In terms of ergonomics, the pickup scored 6.78 out of 10. This was the second-lowest score this year, as it only beat the Mustang Mach-E, which received a rating of 6.30.
Efficiency and Results
Interestingly, the Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle was not the most “thirsty” pickup in the test. Its estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg in the city, 18 on the highway, and 16 combined. These are not great figures, but they are better than the Chevrolet Silverado PPV Z71, which gets 14 mpg city, 17 highway, and 15 combined.
As for the lap time on the Grattan race track, the pickup completed it on average in 1:52.17, which, unsurprisingly, was the slowest result. The aforementioned Chevrolet posted an average time of 1:40.14, and the F-150 did 1:39.56.
Availability and Prospects
The Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle will be available for fleets in the second half of 2026, but pricing information is not yet available.
The emergence of this specialized pickup demonstrates how manufacturers are trying to diversify their offerings for government agencies, providing equipment for specific, often narrow, operational needs. Although its overall track speed figures are not leading, the model’s key advantage is its versatility—combining pursuit capabilities with the functionality of a heavy-duty hauler and cargo carrier. This could be a decisive factor for rural, mountainous, or remote areas where transportation requirements differ significantly from urban conditions. The success of this model in the market will depend not only on technical specifications but also on economic feasibility and fleet service network support.
