Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee EV Cancelled: Dodge Kills Range-Topping All-Electric Halo Car

Banshee EV news comes as many automakers pull back on lofty EV targets and refocus on combustion engines.

According to a report by Mopar Insiders, the Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee EV has been cancelled before it ever sees the light of day. Not that long ago Dodge announced the Banshee as the range-topping EV that was going to lead the company into the future. But it turns out that nobody was really interested in that version of the future. Dodge, like many other automakers, has been pivoting away from all-electric vehicles and instead refocusing on good old-fashioned combustion engines.

The Banshee was going to use 800-volt architecture and a two-speed transmission. Power was expected to be in the 1,000-horsepower range. The power figures are certainly exciting but interest in EVs is waning across the board. They can be brutally quick but don’t offer the visceral thrill that is so important in a performance car. Especially from the company that gave us the Hemi. Going from Hellcats to Banshees was never going to be an easy sell.

Stellantis Comment

There has been no official word yet from Stellantis regarding the Banshee EV project being killed. When Mopar Insiders reached out for a comment they got back the following statement. “Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy to align with consumer demand.

Our plan ensures we offer customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options that best meet their needs. With the great news announced in July that Stellantis is bringing back its iconic SRT performance division (Street and Racing Technology), it follows that we are also reviewing the plan for future SRT vehicles.”

SRT Revival

While there may be some folks out there that are disappointed that the Banshee has been cancelled, we are sure that far more are excited about the revival of SRT. The Durango SUV is sticking around for 2026 with a Hemi V8 as the only powerplant option.

The Ram 1500 pickup will once again be offered with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. And the Jeep Rubicon 392 marches on with its 6.4-liter Hemi and it may even be joined by a Gladiator version soon. So, it would only stand t reason that the great V8 returns to the Charger lineup soon. Afterall the Charger R/T with the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six Hurricane engine is expected to arrive by the middle of 2026.

Future EVs

Dodge will likely continue to offer the Charger EVs next to combustion powered models for the foreseeable future. And someday the electric models might be our only option. But that day is not today. The company has been listening and are giving the people what they want. Big, bold, loud and powerful V8 engines.

They are what define the brand even more than 0 to 60 or quarter mile times. An EV is efficient and has other advantages. But when you are looking to maximize the fun factor, it takes a V8. And Dodge knows it.

Photos: Stellantis

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.