Dodge Charger Daytona EV: Your Top Questions Answered!

We’re behind the wheel of Dodge’s contentious electric vehicle muscle car. It sure knows how to steal the spotlight and might introduce you to plenty of new acquaintances in traffic court.

People, it’s quite an odd experience to wake up in the morning, prepare your coffee, glance out of your kitchen window, and spot a Dodge muscle car stationed in your driveway—connected to your Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at home.

I must admit, that’s not something I ever imagined witnessing.

Still, this will be my reality over the coming days as I conduct the test.
Dodge Charger Daytona with an EV Scat Pack
, Dodge’s answer to
This nation’s widespread issue with sleep pods
With an output of 630 horsepower (which can go up to 670 hp with boosted functionality), this vehicle features dual-motor all-wheel drive and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It’s definitely a high-performance beast—a truly comfortable yet commanding presence in the realm of American muscle cars.

However, is it truly an exceptional electric vehicle? And can it genuinely win over enthusiasts who are fond of muscle cars and might be reluctant to switch to electric vehicles? On this point, I’m less confident. I aim to investigate further. For now, what aspects would you like me to explore regarding this vehicle?

Its complete name is amusingly the Charger Daytona Scat Pack Track Package. The vehicle derives its energy from a 93.9 kWh battery pack, which offers an estimated range of 241 miles—a figure that’s somewhat modest compared to contemporary standards but reasonable considering its performance-oriented nature. The Scat Pack represents the pinnacle trim level available for Chargers; meanwhile, opting for the lower-tier R/T model will set you back slightly less at $59,995 prior to additional charges, though this version delivers “just” 496 horsepower.

Like most press testers, this version comes loaded with numerous features. With the addition of the Scat Pack Stage 2, Plus Group, and Track Package upgrades, you get extras such as an adjustable suspension system, Brembo brakes featuring red calipers, heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger, among others. Altogether, this particular Dodge Charger has a price tag of $85,965.

It’s definitely pricey, yet impressively fast. After returning from a business trip, I took the Charger Daytona EV home late yesterday evening. The vehicle managed to keep me alert thanks to the speaker-activated Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, which emulates the deep growl typically associated with a V8 engine both within and around the car. Inside, however, this noise is considerably toned down, and despite my preference for quieter electric vehicles, I found it quite tolerable. Overall, I appreciate how it enhances the overall experience.

Imagine this: It’s incredibly fast. Fast enough to get you pulled over quickly. While some electric vehicles make you feel virtuous for helping the environment, others keep you constantly checking for police wherever you go. This falls into the latter category. Additionally, driving an electric coupe feels quite invigorating—I’m not sure I’ve experienced many of these before—and particularly so because it sits close to the ground, which stands out among the myriad of electric SUVs available today.

Up until now, though, I’m not particularly fond of the unforgiving sports seats, the sometimes sluggish software interface, the tactile touch controls surrounding them, or how this vehicle handles certain aspects of electric functionality. For instance, the regenerative braking feels abrupt and clumsy, and its single-pedal operation isn’t always seamless. Despite being an electric car, it’s making significant efforts to mimic the classic Hemi V8 Dodge feel—possibly too much so.

The efficiency isn’t particularly impressive. Due to the chilly weather in upstate New York around late March and my somewhat hasty driving, I managed only approximately 1.8 miles per kilowatt-hour for my journey back home. I might attempt to improve this metric slightly.

This vehicle has certainly stirred up controversy among the Mopar enthusiasts, which makes sense. Even Dodge acknowledges that electric power doesn’t align well with what Hemi fans prefer. It’s reasonable to wonder if Dodge developed this model out of genuine desire or simply due to pressure. However, I’ve found myself genuinely enjoying my time behind the wheel so far. Only time will tell if that feeling persists over several days; we’re soon going to discover just that.

Meanwhile, what would you like to learn about the new electric Charger? Feel free to leave a message in the comments section or send me an email.

Contact the author:
patrick.george@insideevs.com

EV Mopar or Bust

• The Dodge Charger Daytona EV can outperform Ford’s top-tier Mustang.
• Dodge Charger EV Criticized By MKBHD: ‘Fratzonic Failure’
• How Could Dodge Possibly Market an Electric Muscle Car?
• Fill The Seats: Dodge’s Strategy to Win Over Electric Vehicle Doubters
• The Dodge Charger Daytona EV Advances the Muscle Car Genre
• Dodge Charger Enthusiasts: Have You Considered Going Electric? Here’s Why It Might Be a Fantastic Choice!