The R/T is out after just one model year
The electric muscle car era isn’t off to a roaring start for Dodge. The automaker has confirmed it will drop the Charger Daytona R/T, the more affordable version of its all-electric coupe, for the 2026 model year. While officially described as a “postponement” due to tariff concerns, the move is more than likely a quiet retreat in the face of poor demand.
The R/T had a respectable spec sheet, boasting 496 horsepower and over 300 miles of range. But buyers weren’t convinced. Despite heavy discounts — some dealers slashing prices by more than $25,000 — units have been piling up on lots. As of early 2025, over 3,500 were still unsold.
Scat Pack survives, but trims down
With the R/T gone, the Daytona Scat Pack becomes the only all-electric Charger on offer for 2026. It packs a more impressive punch: 670 horsepower and all-wheel drive, making it the “quickest and most powerful muscle car” Dodge has ever built. Still, its price starts at just under $70,000 before incentives, and its 241-mile range could limit its appeal. The Scat Pack will also reportedly lose standard features like the Track Pack next year as Dodge tries to cut costs, possibly signaling more price-conscious buyers in mind.
Stellantis
Internal combustion isn’t dead yet
Interestingly, Dodge isn’t going all-in on electric just yet. In fact, the brand is preparing to reintroduce gasoline-powered Chargers under the new “Sixpack” nameplate. These models will feature a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six instead of the old Hemi V8s, with output ranging from 420 to 550 horsepower.
Dodge
Also coming in 2026 is a four-door electric Charger variant, part of Dodge’s broader effort to diversify the lineup and appeal to more buyers beyond coupe loyalists. Expect new wheel designs and optional stripe packages, too.
The EV muscle car gamble isn’t paying off, yet
Dodge hoped the Charger Daytona would carry its performance legacy into the electric age, complete with faux exhaust sounds and aggressive styling. But despite the drama, buyers haven’t embraced it. Charger sales dropped 54% in 2024, and first-quarter 2025 numbers for the EV lineup were just under 2,000 units total. The retreat of the R/T signals that even with power and performance, price and tradition still matter, especially for muscle car fans who aren’t quite ready to give up gasoline.
Final thoughts
With more affordable gas-powered options returning and the high-performance Scat Pack staying on, Dodge appears to be hedging its bets. The automaker is clearly responding to lukewarm EV demand with a revised strategy: double down on what works, like performance and attitude, while easing back into what its core audience has historically embraced: internal combustion.
Still, the question remains whether this hybrid approach can satisfy both sides of the muscle car divide. Traditional fans have been slow to embrace electrification, despite the Charger Daytona R/T’s strong performance specs and solid range. Meanwhile, EV buyers may be hesitant to jump into a market segment so deeply tied to V8 nostalgia.
