Dodge’s transition into the electric muscle car era continues to face significant challenges as new sales figures reveal a sharp decline for the Charger Daytona EV. At the same time, demand for the brand’s new gasoline-powered Charger has climbed substantially, highlighting the continued appeal of internal combustion among muscle car buyers.
Fresh U.S. sales data released by Stellantis shows Charger deliveries moving in opposite directions depending on what’s under the hood. The Charger Daytona EV posted a steep year-over-year decline during the second quarter, while sales of the gasoline-powered Charger increased dramatically as production ramped up.
The contrasting results arrive as Dodge prepares to revive its legendary supercharged Hellcat V8, a move that many enthusiasts have welcomed since the engine’s discontinuation. Although the company has not directly linked the decision to recent sales performance, the latest numbers illustrate why expanding the Charger lineup could prove important.
Overall, Dodge remains under pressure despite gains elsewhere within Stellantis. The automaker’s parent company reported higher U.S. sales during the first half of 2026, but Dodge continued to experience declining overall volume.
Charger EV Sales Fall While Gas Models Gain Momentum
According to Stellantis’ second-quarter sales report, deliveries of the Charger Daytona EV fell 88 percent compared with the same period last year. In contrast, sales of the gasoline-powered Charger rose 404 percent year over year, reflecting increased availability of the newly introduced model.
While the percentage increase for the gasoline Charger is substantial, it comes from a relatively low starting point during the model’s launch period. Even so, the figures suggest buyers are showing considerably stronger interest in the combustion-powered version than the all-electric alternative.
Six-Cylinder Models Are Keeping The Charger Alive
Today’s gasoline Charger is powered by Stellantis’ twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six engine rather than the Hemi V8 that defined previous generations. The new powertrain delivers significantly more performance than its cylinder count might suggest, but it has yet to earn the same emotional connection among longtime Dodge enthusiasts.
Sales of the six-cylinder Charger have helped restore some momentum to the nameplate following the transition to the new generation. However, overall Charger volume remains well below the levels achieved before the previous V8-powered models were discontinued.
Hellcat’s Return Could Strengthen Dodge’s Lineup
Dodge has already confirmed that the supercharged Hellcat V8 will return, restoring one of the brand’s most recognizable performance engines. Although production details and timing remain limited, the announcement signals that Dodge is once again embracing the formula that helped define its modern muscle car identity.
A Hellcat-powered Charger would also give dealerships a high-profile flagship capable of attracting enthusiasts who have been hesitant to embrace electrification or six-cylinder alternatives. Whether that translates into significantly higher sales remains to be seen, but the engine’s return is likely to generate renewed attention for the brand.
Dodge Faces A Balancing Act
The latest sales figures highlight the challenge Dodge faces as it modernizes its performance lineup. The company must continue investing in electrification while also serving a customer base that has historically favored large-displacement gasoline engines.
Stellantis’ overall U.S. business posted a 5 percent sales increase during the first half of 2026, showing strength across several brands. Dodge, however, will be hoping that the addition of new Charger variants, including the returning Hellcat, helps reverse its own sales slowdown and broaden the appeal of the redesigned muscle car.