Whatcha Gonna Do When The Ram 2500 Chases After You?

"Bad boys! What ya want, what ya want, what ya gonna do when Sheriff John Brown come for you? Tell me, what ya wanna do? What ya gonna do?"

Ram is pushing into new territory in the law enforcement market with the 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle—a heavy-duty pickup that has now cleared one of the industry’s toughest certification hurdles.

The truck just passed evaluation by the Michigan State Police, a benchmark used by many law enforcement agencies across the country when selecting pursuit vehicles. The 2500 ERV is based on the Ram 2500 Special Service Vehicle but adds upgrades aimed at pursuit work and field durability. Ram says it's the first three-quarter-ton truck engineered with pursuit capability in mind

The MSP testing program is known for its intensity, combining acceleration runs, repeated high-speed braking, and extended track sessions designed to expose weaknesses in durability, handling, and ergonomics. Vehicles are also assessed for how well officers can operate them while wearing full gear, including how easily they can enter, exit, and access equipment.

That certification gives the Ram 2500 a level of credibility that heavy-duty trucks typically don’t have. Police fleets have long been dominated by purpose-built sedans, SUVs, and lighter pickups, as high-speed driving and maneuverability favor smaller vehicles. Someone needs to point out that this certification does not change the laws of physics—the 2500 ERV is still an absolute pig compared to the Durangos, Tahoes, and Explorers of the world, nevermind the older Chargers still in service.

Power comes from the automaker's 6.4-liter Hemi V8 producing 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, paired with a heavy-duty eight-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case. A 4.10 axle ratio and anti-slip differentials are part of the package, along with 18-inch steel wheels chosen for durability under hard use. Ram says the truck can reach 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and has a top speed limited to 103 mph. So, not very fast in a world where we have 233 mph Corvettes and basic Honda Civics fresh from the factory floor capable of 128 mph.

Dodge should probably get serious about building a new pursuit-capable Charger with the twin-turbo Hurricane engine to sell to police departments. Or maybe Dodge is waiting for the Hemi Charger to debut before announcing anything.

Dual 400-amp alternators provide electrical capacity for lighting and communications systems, while dedicated wiring, auxiliary switches, and an integrated interface module simplify the upfit of police and rescue equipment.

The result is a vehicle that occupies a niche few others have attempted to fill—a full-size, heavy-duty pickup that can serve in both pursuit and utility roles.

Ram says the 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle will be available to fleet customers in the second half of 2026.

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