Who Said an EV’s Silence is Deafening?
Picture this: you’re driving the most advanced electric muscle car on the market, feeling pretty good about your zero-emission footprint, when suddenly you’re pulled over for… a loud exhaust? That’s exactly what happened to one Dodge Charger Daytona EV owner in Minnesota, whose synthesized exhaust sounds seemingly landed him a loud muffler ticket, despite having no actual exhaust system or engine to speak of.
The Charger Daytona EV is equipped with Dodge’s controversial Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system, which can push sound levels up to 126 decibels, matching a Hellcat-powered Dodge in nothing else if not sheer volume. This is where things get interesting, and legally complicated.
The Ultimate Fake Exhaust Sound Test
The Dodge EV owner, Mike (distressed_media on Instagram), told The Drive he was cruising through Stillwater, Minnesota, a city known for strict noise ordinances, when another vehicle launched loudly from a red light ahead of him. Unfortunately for Mike, a state trooper couldn’t identify the actual noise source and targeted his Charger EV instead. When Mike tried explaining his car was electric and lacked a traditional exhaust system, the officer reportedly refused to discuss it further. Instead he got a ticket for three offences, including a loud muffler/exhaust, not having a front number plate and for creating a public nuisance.
The Fratzonic system is Dodge’s attempt to preserve the visceral muscle car experience. The system moves air through a speaker box with chambers, plenums, pipes, and “exhaust outlets”, creating a pretty elaborate audio illusion. While the actual effect isn’t very convincing, it’s simulated automotive theater at its loudest, or most confusing, depending on your perspective.
Law Still Up To Interpretation
This incident highlights a legal gray area: can you cite someone for artificial exhaust noise? It’s like getting a speeding ticket while your car is on a trailer. Perhaps most telling is what happened next, which is absolutely nothing. Months after the stop, Mike’s ticket still hasn’t appeared in the court system despite his weekly calls. This suggests even the legal system recognizes the citation’s questionable nature.
Should fake exhaust sounds even face the same regulations as real ones? This incident is a glimpse into the ever-evolving relationship with automotive technology. One where the line between authentic and artificial continues to blur, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.
