Stellantis had the lowest ranking of any U.S. automaker in the EPA’s fuel economy report — and the Hellcat models certainly didn’t help the cause
Three-quarter front view of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT in front of a hall
As most enthusiasts know, the Environmental Protection Agency has a major influence on how a vehicle can perform. To work in compliance with the EPA, brands must create efficient vehicles to contrast the changing climate, as well as make buyers more aware of their actual buying and spending habits. The recent surge in hybrids and electric vehicles has shown that many brands are in control of their emissions and fuel economy, but a report from the EPA shows that Stellantis is trailing the pack in the US
The EPA shows that Stellantis lags behind in the rankings
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
According to preliminary 2022 figures in the EPA’s Automtive Trends Report, Stellantis had the lowest combined fuel economy of any automaker selling cars in the U.S. And while brands like Ford, Kia and Honda have dramatically improved their emissions in recent years, brands like Stellantis have gotten even worse, with the obvious brands causing this problem being Jeep and Dodge. These two brands have only two hybrid models between them (Stellantis also has the Chrysler Pacifica) and continue to produce high-horsepower V8 and diesel engines while seemingly not caring about their emissions at all.
The Dodge Charger SRT Daytona EV is the brand’s first ever electric model
Side profile and rear view of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
As Dodge’s recently announced Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV moves closer to production as the brand’s first available electric vehicle, the brand hopes to make a noticeable change. Jeep announced that they would also develop electrified vehicles such as the Recon and the European model known as the Avenger. For Dodge, one of the top-selling brands in the United States, best known for their high-performance Hellcat models, the introduction of the electric Charger Daytona and other vehicles could raise the rankings significantly. Not to mention the end of production of the ICE-powered Charger and Challenger.
Will Mopar fans accept it after the Hellcat?
Shot of an Orange Dodge Challenger Super Stock front 3/4 drive
While Dodge’s current demographic is very anti-electric, contributing to the huge success of the Hellcat sub-brand, this push after the last year of the Hemi V-8 and all its associated blocks could see them moving to these electric platforms. High horsepower, huge grip and maintaining the look of a muscle car as it should be, in the Dodge spirit, help the car become wildly successful. Dodge has already announced the introduction of their first hybrid vehicle since the Durango hybrid in the latter part of the 2000s and the Chrysler Aspen hybrid, the new Dodge Hornet.
Is the Daytona SRT Banshee enough to boost Stellantis rankings?
A shot of the front 3/4 of a red Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
While it may be difficult to convince Mopar enthusiasts to leave the V-8 behind and move to the electric platform, the SRT Banshee’s proposed performance should be more than convincing enough. As Chevrolet gears up their hybrid Corvette for its official debut, a production version of a hybrid or EV performance car from Dodge itself has yet to be seen, while the rumor mill is still swirling about a hybrid Mustang. With the fall of the SRT V-8 models (outside of the Ram TRX), Dodge will have to make compelling vehicles while either focusing on the Hurricane inline six or moving to EV, both of which should dramatically increase their EPA rankings. improve.