Electric Dodge Charger: R/T Trim Cut, EV Delays Persist
The Dodge Charger, a name deeply embedded in muscle car heritage thanks to its iconic Hemi V-8 engine, is navigating a challenging reinvention. The initial rollout of the all-Electric Dodge Charger Daytona before the arrival of gas-powered versions later this year appears to be facing headwinds. Reports of the Charger Daytona EVs lingering on dealer lots are widespread online, suggesting that traditional Dodge enthusiasts are holding out for the potential return of the V-8 or, at least, the upcoming Sixpack variants powered by twin-turbo inline-six engines.
This apparent lack of strong initial demand for the Charger Daytona is prompting strategic adjustments within Dodge’s parent company, Stellantis. Stellantis has confirmed to Carscoops that it will discontinue the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T trim for the 2026 model year, casting a shadow of uncertainty over its future availability. For the 2025 model year, the R/T remains available exclusively in a two-door configuration. The planned spring arrival of the four-door Charger Daytona has also been pushed back, now expected later this year or early in 2026, as confirmed by a report from Car and Driver. This delay means the four-door electric Charger will launch around the same time as the new internal combustion engine (ICE) Sixpack models.
The ICE-powered Chargers, featuring the high-output Hurricane Twin Turbo I-6 engine, still appear to be on track for a late 2025 arrival as 2026 models, initially offered in a four-door body style.
The discontinuation of the R/T leaves the two-door Charger Daytona Scat Pack as the primary electric offering in the Charger lineup for the foreseeable future. This situation reflects broader challenges for Stellantis’s electric vehicle ambitions. Other planned EVs from the company are also facing delays. The all-electric Ram 1500 Rev has been delayed again, likely until 2027. Similarly, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, an extended-range EV with an onboard gas generator that was previously prioritized ahead of the Rev in the production schedule, is now also delayed until next year or potentially beyond.
Front view of the 2025 electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack muscle car
Returning to the Electric Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, its removal from the lineup is attributed to factors including “U.S. tariffs” and Dodge’s strategic shift to focus more on gas-powered models. Interestingly, despite being the entry-level trim for the electric Dodge Charger Daytona, the R/T, priced at $61,590, is being heavily discounted. Configuring a 2025 Charger Daytona R/T on Dodge’s website currently shows a price potentially dropping to around $47,000 with tax credits and manufacturer incentives. The higher-performance Scat Pack, priced at $70,190, is currently available for a price similar to an un-discounted R/T. This pricing dynamic suggests Dodge might be creating space for the incoming gas-powered Chargers (expected to produce between 420 hp and 540 hp) by de-emphasizing the R/T EV version with its 496 hp output, especially when the 670 hp Scat Pack offers significantly more power for a potentially comparable price point after discounts.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear elaborated on the situation: “Production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies. The Charger’s flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s performance as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.” This statement underscores a pivot towards highlighting the performance credentials of the remaining electric Dodge Charger SRT variant, the Scat Pack, while aligning EV production timelines with the launch of the ICE models.
It’s possible the remaining Charger Daytona Scat Pack could see further price adjustments. The 2024 and 2025 models include several standard packages and options, such as the Track Pack kit, which if made optional could potentially lower the base price further. Meanwhile, the ICE-powered Chargers, including the four-door with the high-output Hurricane Twin Turbo I-6, remain on schedule for the 2026 model year launch later this year.
The 2025 Ram 1500 Rev all-electric pickup truck
Stellantis EV Delays Continue
The delays for Stellantis’s electric lineup extend beyond the Charger. The 2026 Ram 1500 REV all-electric pickup, already delayed once, has been pushed back again. According to Car and Driver, the 1500 REV is now expected in the summer of 2027. The Ramcharger EREV, another vehicle affected by Stellantis’s revised timelines, is now slated for the first quarter of 2026, missing its previous target of hitting dealerships by the end of this year.
Side view of the 2024 electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack
Concurrent with these EV timeline adjustments, there are indications that Dodge and Ram are redirecting efforts toward reintroducing the Hemi V-8 engine more broadly across their lineups. Currently, only the three-row Durango SUV offers the V-8. However, it is rumored to be returning to the Ram 1500 and potentially even the Charger in the near future.
This report was originally published in May 2025 and has been updated to include clarifications regarding the production status of the Charger and Charger Daytona for the 2026 model year.
