An American comeback play: can Europe save the electric Charger?

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Dodge Charger Daytona EV is heading to Europe. Stellantis has decided to bring overseas not only the electric version of the new Charger but the gas-powered one as well, even though at home the battery-powered muscle car is selling noticeably below expectations.

In the U.S. the situation looks painful. Last year Dodge sold 7,421 electric Charger Daytonas, but toward the end of 2025 the pace dropped sharply: 346 cars in the fourth quarter and just 240 in the first quarter of this year. For a model billed as «the world's most powerful muscle car,» those numbers are far too modest.

Europe could be a chance for the Charger, but not a guarantee of rescue. On one hand, demand for electric vehicles there is higher than in the U.S., and Dodge has almost no direct competitors. Local brands don't offer anything similar: a large two- or four-door coupe with the looks of a classic muscle car, an electric powertrain and 630 hp. Against a backdrop of ordinary crossovers, such a car can genuinely stand out.

On the other hand, everything will come down to price, reliability and service. In the U.S. the two-door Charger Daytona for the 2027 model year starts at $74,490 with delivery, while the four-door version is $500 more. Compared with last year's model, the price jumped by $12,500 in one go. In Europe, with taxes, logistics and local markups, the car will almost certainly cost even more.

On paper the Charger Daytona EV has strong tech. Two electric motors deliver 630 hp, a 94 kWh battery provides an estimated range of 267 miles, or about 430 km. Fast charging from 20 to 80% takes around 24 minutes. For a buyer that sounds convincing — provided there is decent charging infrastructure nearby and a dealer able to fix problems quickly.

And problems have already surfaced. During the first tests, journalists from InsideEVs ran into software glitches: images would disappear, screens would freeze. One of the publication's writers took a Charger Daytona on a favorable lease, but three months later still couldn't drive his own car properly.

In Europe the electric Dodge may find buyers who have long wanted a true American image without a gas V8. But if the price turns out to be too high and the software too temperamental, the rarity will quickly stop being an advantage.