WHY IS DODGE MOVING TOWARDS ELECTRIFICATION?

2023 will be the final year the Dodge brand will have V8 muscle cars as far anybody can predict. In doing so, the brand has released several special edition vehicles to soften the blow that the Hemi V8 will no longer be the heart of the beloved Dodge Charger and Challenger, highlighted by the 1,025 hp Demon 170. At the blockbuster event, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis recently explained why the brand is moving away from the V8 and towards electrification. In so many words: there’s no stopping what’s been started.

Tim Kuniskis On The Future

“Everyone is loaded, everyone is ready,” Kuniskis told Fox Business. “There are a lot of electrified products coming. Even if someone were wanting to make a change at this point, the train’s left the station.” Kuniskis stated. As it stands, the industry as a whole has invested half a trillion dollars into the transition towards electrification, and at this point, there’s no turning back from the path since so much money has been poured into it. Though, that’s not to say there won’t be other zero-emission powertrain options on the market in the future.

Cummins has been developing hydrogen powertrains and recently debuted the Cummins B6.7H hydrogen-powered combustion engine. The proof-of-concept B6.7H installation is rated for 290 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque. The system is fed by a high-pressure hydrogen storage system that lives between the frame rails of a Mercedes-Benz Atego 4×2 truck. As we see it, hydrogen will become the transportation industry’s go-to powertrain, while most consumer vehicles will be electrified. But with ongoing innovations in hydrogen propulsion, that could change by the end of the decade.

Regarding the future of Dodge products, the Hemi engine won’t entirely disappear from its lineup, as Kuniskis has stated that it will remain in the Durango for the time being. Additionally, the Stellantis dealer meeting in Las Vegas pointed towards the possibility that the brand’s upcoming muscle cars may incorporate the 3.0L inline-six Hurricane engine, at least for a short time while the company works towards the release of the electric Banshee powertrain, which will inevitably be the future of Dodge muscle.