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10 Reasons Why Electric Dodge Charger Failed Spectacularly

Vukasin Herbez June 8, 2025

The 2025 Dodge Charger EV arrived amid high expectations: a legacy name reborn as an electric muscle sedan. Yet despite its futuristic powertrain and muscular stance, it stumbled out of the gate, failing to win over traditional enthusiasts or justify its lofty price. In this article we’ll examine ten key reasons behind the Charger EV’s downfall. Each reason delves into fundamental missteps, illustrating why this once‐iconic badge couldn’t overcome modern market realities and entrenched customer expectations.

1. Not a V8‐Powered Muscle Car

Two Door 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/t — Photo Credit: Dodge

At its core, muscle‐car culture is defined by throaty V8 rumble and visible hardware—massive intakes, valve covers, and a pedigree that traces back to Detroit’s golden era. The 2025 Charger EV, powered by dual electric motors, delivered instant torque but lacked that visceral V8 identity. For many buyers, seeing a Charger without a traditional HEMI engine felt like a betrayal.

All New Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack — Photo Credit: Dodge

Under the hood (or under the floor), no engine block meant no classic V8 character—no high‐revving drama or production soundscapes that evoke legendary burnouts on Woodward Avenue. In a segment where heritage matters, the absence of a V8 was a cardinal sin, alienating loyalists who viewed the Charger name as synonymous with HEMI horsepower.

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2. No Sound

All New Dodge Charger Daytona Models Offer An Optional Full Leng — Photo Credit: Dodge

One of the most emotive elements of muscle cars is their soundtrack: deep burbles at idle, crisp burbles under throttle, and the thunderous roar at wide‐open throttle. The Charger EV, being fully electric, employed synthetic sound generators to mimic traditional exhaust notes. However, these artificial growls fell flat. They sounded canned, lacking the unpredictable harmonics of a high‐compression V8.

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, Shown In Redeye Exterior C — Photo Credit: Dodge

Without genuine mechanical resonance, the auditory experience felt contrived—an ersatz symphony devoid of soul. For enthusiasts, the absence of real sound broke the immersive connection between driver and machine. In street cruises or drag‐strip launches, nothing substitutes the visceral thrill of genuine engine noise, and the Charger EV’s silent operation became a glaring handicap.

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3. Too Heavy

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, Shown In Triple Nickel. — Photo Credit: Dodge

Electric vehicles often carry a significant weight penalty due to battery packs, and the Charger EV was no exception. Tipping the scales at over 5,000 pounds—far heavier than its ICE‐powered predecessors—it struggled to replicate the nimble handling that once defined Charger performance. That extra mass translated into sluggish turn‐in, increased brake fade, and less communicative steering feel.

The Optional Full Length Glass Roof Of The All New Dodge Charger — Photo Credit: Dodge

Even with adaptive suspension and torque vectoring, the sheer bulk diluted the Charger’s dynamic essence. While instant EV torque offered quick launches, the car’s mass became painfully obvious mid‐corner. A true performance sedan should feel lithe, but the Charger EV felt burdensome—reminding drivers that in performance cars, weight is the enemy of engagement.

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4. Not Traditional

An All New, Modern "pistol Grip" Shifter And The Start/power But — Photo Credit: Dodge

Muscle‐car buyers crave authenticity: steel body panels, analog gauges, and manual controls. The Charger EV, with its sleek digital cockpit, capacitive switches, and minimalist interior, deviated drastically from tradition. Gone were the classic bench seats with vinyl bolsters; instead, a wraparound digital display dominated the dash. For purists, the absence of a real gear lever (replaced by a rotary dial) and the lack of tactile toggle switches felt alien.

This departure from tactile feedback and mechanical simplicity created a gulf between buyer expectations and reality. By abandoning familiar cues—hood pins, pushbutton starters, and analog tachometers—Dodge risked alienating the very audience that once made Chargers cultural icons.

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5. Too Expensive

All New Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Interior — Photo Credit: Dodge

Even before incentives, the base Charger EV started north of $70,000—more than many competitors boasting superior range or performance. Added options, like the adjudicator’s fancy “Launch Mode” or upgraded wheels and carbon‐fiber aero bits, could push MSRP above $85,000. In contrast, a comparably equipped ICE Charger Hellcat still undercut the EV on entry price while offering proven performance and heritage.

New Wheels For The All New Dodge Charger Feature Center Caps Wit — Photo Credit: Dodge

For buyers on the fence, that price gap proved insurmountable. When a prospective customer could buy a V8-powered beast with a lineage stretching back decades, paying a premium for a questionable EV novelty rarely made sense. In a segment where bragging rights and perceived value matter, the Charger EV’s lofty sticker served as a dealbreaker.

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6.Short Range

All New Dodge Charger Daytona Models Can Be Recharged From A 20 — Photo Credit: Dodge

Despite employing a large 100 kWh battery pack, the Charger EV managed only around 225 miles on a full charge—disappointing given its consumption levels. Its heavy curb weight meant energy economy suffered, especially in spirited driving. Competing electric sedans offered 300+ miles or could recharge faster, making long‐distance travel more practical.

Charger buyers, accustomed to muscle cars capable of cross‐state road trips, balked at frequent charging stops. The lack of DC fast‐charging infrastructure in many regions further hamstrung usability. In a market where range anxiety still looms large, the Charger EV’s modest mileage undercut one of the few advantages EVs claim over ICE: convenience of daily driving without range trade‐offs.

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7. Cannot Be Modified

All New Dodge Charger Daytona R/t — Photo Credit: Dodge

Aftermarket performance has always been central to muscle‐car culture. From headers and cams to supercharger upgrades, Chargers were canvases for personalization. Unfortunately, the Charger EV’s underfloor battery pack and liquid‐cooled motors left little room for user modifications.

Attempts to boost power electronically risked voiding warranties or damaging bespoke thermal management systems. Independent tuners lacked access to proprietary firmware, and hardware upgrades (suspension, brakes) could upset the car’s finely calibrated weight distribution. Without a vibrant aftermarket ecosystem, enthusiasts lost the ability to make their Charger EV unique or more powerful. In a culture that prizes hands‐on customization, this locked‐down platform felt sterile, further distancing the EV from its grassroots audience.

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8. Strange Technology

The Patent Pending Front R Wing, Exclusive To Dodge Charger Dayt — Photo Credit: Dodge

Dodge incorporated some novel tech features—like in-wheel motors and adaptive torque sharing—but many of these systems felt experimental rather than refined. The in-wheel motor architecture, touted as providing precise torque distribution, introduced unsprung mass that dulled ride and handling. Meanwhile, the advanced thermal management system, designed to precondition batteries for performance driving, occasionally produced abrupt power cuts when temperatures exceeded safe thresholds.

Dodge Charger Daytona R/t Interior With Optional 64 Color Attitu — Photo Credit: Dodge

Software glitches in regenerative braking led to inconsistent pedal feel, undermining driver confidence. While innovation is laudable, the Charger EV’s avant-garde approach appeared half-baked. When technology undermines the driving experience, it breeds skepticism rather than admiration for engineering prowess.

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9. Not Appealing to the Average Muscle‐Car Buyer

The All New Dodge Charger Presents A Distillation Of Muscle Car — Photo Credit: Dodge

Classic Charger buyers often seek straight-line acceleration, rumbling exhaust, and a visceral connection to Detroit’s performance legacy. The EV’s silent launches and digital engagement looped many traditionalists into perplexity. Interior styling skewed minimalist—featuring OLED screens, haptic feedback panels, and ambient lighting—leaving buyers longing for the simple analog charm of bench seats, chrome accents, and mechanical gauges.

Even exterior design cues—like the front DRLs shaped like lightning bolts—failed to resonate. For the average muscle-car buyer, aesthetic signals matter as much as horsepower numbers. The Charger EV’s futuristic looks, while visually bold, abandoned the familiar cues that once made Chargers instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant.

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10. Lack of Charging Infrastructure

Finally, the Charger EV faltered due to broader industry limitations: inadequate charging networks in key markets. Unlike urban dwellers with home or workplace chargers, many potential buyers in suburban or rural areas had limited access to DC fast-charging stations. Roadside stops still prioritized gasoline pumps, leaving EV chargers scarce and inconsistent.

For Charger owners who valued long road trips or spontaneous drives, this lack of infrastructure proved a deal breaker. Even short trips required careful route planning, undermining the freedom traditionally associated with muscle cars. In essence, until charging infrastructure caught up, the Charger EV remained a compromised proposition—promising electrified thrills but shackled by practicality concerns.

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