2024 Dodge Charger: Electrifying a Legend
The Dodge Charger has a well-earned reputation as a roaring, tarmac-ripping muscle car. Generally powered by big V8 engines, generations of Chargers got faster and faster, asserting their dominance on the road and on drag strips and race tracks – guzzling plenty of gas along the way. Now, though, the Charger is going electric, and Dodge says it will retain its title as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car. Indeed, the new electric Charger will offer up to 670 hp, roar to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds, and run the quarter-mile in just over 11 seconds. Those are supercar numbers, all accomplished without the use of gasoline.
Built on an all-new, highly-flexible platform, the new Charger models are being introduced as electric cars, but more conventional gasoline versions will follow – though with a turbocharged inline-six, and not the traditional V8. But it’s the EV Chargers that offer the highest performance and most innovative technology.
Huge Performance, Zero Emissions
Two new electric Charger models will be offered: the Charger Daytona R/T and the top-end Charger Daytona Scat Pack. Both vehicles are driven by a 400-volt electrical system that delivers supercharged V8 power, instantaneous torque, and zero tailpipe emissions. All Charger EV models are all-wheel drive, with separate front and rear drive modules. The front drive module can be automatically disconnected when it isn’t needed, improving rand and efficiency, while the rear drive module incorporates a limited-slip differential to improve traction and cornering performance.
With 496 hp, the Charger Daytona R/T produces 496 hp, while the Charger Daytona Scat Pack ups the ante to a total of 670 hp. Both models come with a standard 100.5-kWh battery pack, giving 317 miles of estimated range in the R/T and 260 miles of range in the Scat Pack. Fast-charging capability is excellent, allowing up to 350 kW on a compatible charger, and going from 20 to 80 percent charge in just over 27 minutes.
Optimized for Electric Performance
Dodge notes that the nickel-cobalt-aluminum chemistry of the battery offers a peak discharge rate of 550 kW, specifically chosen to maximize acceleration. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow drivers to adjust how much regenerative braking they get, varying between 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g of regeneration.
The Charger also comes packed with fun performance features, which allow drivers to customize the experience based on driving conditions:
- A choice of drive modes includes Auto, Eco, Sport, Wet, Snow, and Track and Drag Modes on the Scat Pack model. Track mode delivers maximum performance on a racetrack, while Drag optimizes for straight-line acceleration.
- Donut and Drift modes let Charger Daytona owners literally burn rubber, spinning the rear wheels without intervention from the traction control system, and offering a choice of three levels of slip angle.
- Launch Control provides optimal straight line acceleration from a standing start, with a choice of five levels of intensity.
- Line Lock lets the driver lock the front wheels and spin the rear tires on a dragstrip.
Electric Muscle Car Design
The Charger looks like, well, a Charger – muscular and aggressive just like its predecessors. It’s also huge, longer than the old gasoline version, and almost as long as a three-row SUV.
One of the coolest details on the exterior is the “R-Wing,” which is a visual reference to the front grille of old Charger models, but has an aerodynamic pass-through that actually enhances downforce on the front axle as well as reduces drag.
At the rear, the most distinctive feature, other than the LED “ring of fire” tail lamps, is a large grille embedded into the rear bumper, which Dodge calls the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust (yes, you read that right). A series of pipes and chambers amplifies sound produced by speakers to give the electric Charger an extreme audio presence. In fact, Dodge says that the Fratzonic exhaust makes this EV as loud as the old Charger powered by a gasoline V8 – though you can run it in quiet “stealth” mode.
While at launch there will only be two-door coupe versions of the EV Charger, it will eventually be available with four doors as well, making it easier for families to get in and out – an electric muscle car the whole family can enjoy.
Dodge Charger EV Interior and Tech
Inside, there’s a curving, layered dash with a digital instrument panel, a large central touchscreen display, and an angled center stack that gives the Charger a modern, technical feel. Standout features include a heated steering wheel with flat top and bottom, a pistol-grip shifter, and wireless phone charging.
An optional augmented-reality heads-up display projects a large field of view with an improved virtual image distance on the windshield. The infotainment system is Dodge’s Uconnect 5, which is class-leading and has wireless CarPlay and Android Auto functions, as well as GPS navigation and several “performance pages.” A new digital Key offers seamless access from your smartphone. The free Dodge phone app also allows remote monitoring of charge levels, setting of charge schedules and location of charging stations.
While the Charger’s shape looks coupe-ish (and eventually sedan-ish), it actually has a “hidden hatch” – a huge hatchback that opens up on a massive cargo area that can be expanded with folding rear seats. Indeed, the maximum cargo space is 38.5 cubic feet, a huge increase over the old Charger, and on par with some SUVs. There’s also an additional 1.5 cubic feet of space in the “frunk” up front.
2024 Dodge Charger Availability
Two-door coupe versions of the electric 2024 Dodge Charger will begin production in mid-2024, with the first deliveries scheduled for late this year. Production of the all-electric four-door Daytona Scat Pack and R/T models will begin in the first quarter of 2025. Gasoline versions, powered by a turbocharged inline-six, will follow in 2025 as well.
All mileage is EPA-estimated.
