Dodge Pulls the Plug: The 900-Horsepower Electric Charger May Remain a Dream
The Charger Daytona Banshee was meant to be Dodge’s electric monster, but with the 900-horsepower EV on ice, the brand’s future looks set to roar once again with gasoline rather than hum with electrons.
For decades, Dodge has been the embodiment of raw American muscle, built on thunderous V8s and unapologetic bravado. Now, in a surprising twist, the brand appears to be walking away from its most ambitious EV project: the Charger Daytona Banshee. Once touted as the future of the muscle car, with nearly 900 horsepower on tap, the all-electric flagship may never see production.
Rumours of the Banshee first surfaced in 2022, promising a technical showcase that included an 800-volt architecture—double that of standard EVs—and a tri-motor setup delivering between 800 and 900 hp. On paper, it looked like a beast capable of redefining the electric muscle car. But reality proved harsher. Sales of the base Charger Daytona have been underwhelming, and with a price tag north of $100,000, the Banshee was deemed too risky a gamble by Dodge leadership.
Officially, the company has neither confirmed nor denied the cancellation, noting only that parent group Stellantis constantly reassesses its portfolio in line with market conditions and consumer demand. That same strategic reshuffle has also reshaped Dodge’s SRT performance division, which was relaunched this summer.
For now, the Charger Daytona family tops out with the 670-horsepower Scat Pack, while the entry-level 496-hp R/T has been shelved indefinitely. Yet Dodge’s gasoline roots remain very much alive. The brand is expected to double down on internal combustion, with a straight-six already available and whispers of a resurrected V8 gaining momentum as Stellantis prepares to bring the legendary engine back.
If the Banshee was destined to remain only a furious vision, Dodge’s real-world future may prove far more petrol-flavoured than electrification advocates ever anticipated.
