Sylvie Willis
For over a century, Dodge has been manufacturing traditional gas-powered cars. However, the company has recently decided to transition to electric vehicles, with plans to end production of gas-powered cars by December 2023. This shift away from fossil fuels is a significant change for Dodge, as they explore new avenues such as hybrid and electric models. Despite this, Dodge has also released a lineup of Last Call cars that emulate older models, some of which run on ethanol. The company's future plans include an all-electric muscle car expected to launch in 2024, marking a new era for the American car manufacturer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years of making traditional gas vehicles | 100+ |
| Year of ending production of gas cars | 2023 |
| Year of launching electric vehicles | 2024 |
| Fossil fuel investments | $779.54 million (Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund), $680.2 million (Dodge & Cox Global Stock Fund), $7.55 billion (Dodge & Cox Stock Fund) |
| Fossil fuel percentage in the fund | 5.44% (Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund), 5.87% (Dodge & Cox Global Stock Fund), 6.79% (Dodge & Cox Stock Fund) |
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What You'll Learn
Dodge's transition to electric vehicles
Dodge, an American car company that has been making traditional gas cars since 1914, is transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). In August 2022, Dodge unveiled its first all-electric muscle car, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept, at its Speed Week in Pontiac, Michigan. The company plans to launch its first production electric vehicle in 2024.
Dodge's electric vehicles will be equipped with advanced technologies to enhance performance and driving experiences. The all-electric powertrain delivers a peak power of 550 kilowatts, and the battery provides an initial discharge of 500 kilowatts to the electric motors for a full quarter-mile. The front and rear electric drive motors improve performance and efficiency, with the front module offering a wheel-end disconnect and the rear module featuring a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Dodge's electric vehicles will also provide charging options that offer convenience and maintain battery health. The Level 2 Home Charging Station allows drivers to schedule installations with certified technicians. Additionally, the vehicles' charging schedules can be set to stop at an 80% charge, optimizing lithium-ion battery life.
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Dodge's history of producing gas cars
Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Founded as the Dodge Brothers Company machine shop by brothers Horace Elgin Dodge and John Francis Dodge in the early 1900s, Dodge was originally a supplier of parts and assemblies to automakers like Ford. They began building complete automobiles under the "Dodge Brothers" brand in 1914, predating the founding of the Chrysler Corporation.
The Dodge brand continued through multiple ownership changes of Chrysler from 1998 until 2009. In 2011, Dodge and its sub-brands, Dodge Ram and Dodge Viper, were separated. Later that year, the Chrysler Group was renamed FCA US LLC, coinciding with the merger of Fiat S.p.A.
Dodge has produced numerous vehicles carrying the brand name, including pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. In 2015, FCA introduced the Hellcat, a 707 HP, supercharged 6.2 L Hemi V8. In 2017, Dodge released the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, which is powered by an 840 HP supercharged 6.2 L Hemi V8.
Dodge has a long history of producing gas-powered vehicles, but in recent years, it has started incorporating hybrid and EV models into its lineups. In 2023, Dodge officially ended its production of gas-powered vehicles and announced its transition to electric vehicles. The company is set to release its first all-electric muscle car in 2024.
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Dodge's future plans for combustion engines
Dodge has been producing traditional gas vehicles since 1914. However, in recent years, the company has started incorporating hybrid and EV models into its lineups. In 2022, Dodge announced its plans to go fully electric after 2023, with an all-electric muscle car expected to launch in 2024. This decision comes as California confirmed its plan to ban the sale of new internal combustion vehicles by 2035, which has caused Dodge to shift its focus towards electrification.
Despite this announcement, there are conflicting reports about Dodge's future plans for combustion engines. Some sources indicate that Dodge will completely eliminate the internal combustion engine (ICE) from its lineup after 2023. However, others suggest that the company will continue to offer internal combustion engines alongside electric options. For instance, it is rumoured that the 2024 Dodge Challenger and Charger will arrive with both internal combustion and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) powertrain options. This aligns with Dodge's previous statements, where they expressed their intention to produce much cleaner cars without completely abandoning combustion engines.
In terms of specific combustion engines, there are speculations that Dodge may be planning to phase out the HEMI V8 engine. This is due to ongoing emission regulations, as the new inline-six motors produce 15% fewer tailpipe emissions and use less fuel than the HEMI V8s. However, Dodge enthusiasts are unsure if this transition will occur smoothly, as the HEMI V8 engine is beloved by many. Additionally, there is some skepticism about Dodge integrating a boosted I6 into their future models, with some expressing disappointment in the Hurricane engine's performance.
While Dodge has not provided a definitive answer about the fate of their combustion engines, it is clear that they are transitioning towards electrification. The company's five-year plan, released in March 2023, is expected to provide more clarity on their EV endeavours and the future of their combustion engines. In the meantime, Dodge continues to navigate the challenges of meeting emission regulations and retaining their performance-oriented customer base during this period of transition.
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Dodge's use of ethanol and biofuels
Dodge, the American car company, has been making traditional gas vehicles since 1914. However, in recent years, the company has started incorporating hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) models into its lineups. In 2023, Dodge announced that it would be ending its production of gas cars and going fully electric.
Before its transition to electric vehicles, Dodge produced a range of gas-powered vehicles, some of which used ethanol and biofuels. Ethanol fuel contains ethyl alcohol, the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is most commonly used as a motor fuel additive for gasoline. Ethanol can be blended with gasoline (petrol) but requires engine modifications for higher ethanol blends as ethanol has lower energy content than gasoline. Most vehicles built after 2000 can use blends of up to 15% ethanol, and ethanol represented 10% of the US gasoline fuel supply in 2011.
Biofuels, including ethanol, are derived from renewable biological materials such as corn starch, corn stover, perennial grasses, woody biomass, and algae. They can also be produced from sugar crops, starch crops, oilseed crops, and animal fats. Bioethanol, specifically, can be made from common crops like hemp, sugarcane, potatoes, cassava, and corn. The use of biofuels has the potential to reduce some of the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel production and use, including conventional and greenhouse gas emissions.
Brazil is a significant user and producer of ethanol biofuel. Since 1976, the Brazilian government has mandated the blending of ethanol with gasoline, with the current legal blend being around 25% ethanol and 75% gasoline. In 2011, Brazil had a fleet of 14.8 million flex-fuel automobiles and 1.5 million flex-fuel motorcycles that regularly use neat ethanol fuel (E100).
While Dodge's future vehicles will be electric, some of its recent gas-powered vehicles have been capable of running on ethanol blends. For example, the SRT Demon 170, released as part of Dodge's "Last Call" lineup emulating older models, can run on ethanol.
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Dodge's investment in hybrid models
Dodge, a company that has been making traditional gas vehicles for over a century, has recently made the transition to electric vehicles. As of 2023, Dodge has ended its production of gas-powered cars and will be releasing an all-electric muscle car in 2024.
While Dodge has not released many hybrid models, the company has been incorporating hybrid and EV models into its lineups over the last few years. The only hybrid that Dodge currently sells is the Dodge Hornet crossover, which can also be fitted with a non-hybrid powertrain. The Hornet R/T is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that couples all-electric propulsion with classic internal combustion engine (ICE) performance. It comes with a 15.5-kilowatt-hour battery and a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine, offering excellent efficiency and performance. The Hornet R/T also comes with three different drive modes, and its regenerative braking system harnesses kinetic energy from the brakes and converts it to electricity for the battery.
Dodge also offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain that utilizes both gas and electric propulsion, providing drivers with both performance and convenience. The company's all-electric 400-volt propulsion system aims to push performance beyond conventional means, reimagining what an electric vehicle can do.
While Dodge's electric muscle car has not received a warm welcome from die-hard fans, the company is committed to its electrification strategy, aiming for clean, safe, and affordable mobility. The Charger Sixpack, for example, offers two states of tune: Standard Output models with 420 hp and 469 lb-ft, and High Output versions with 550 hp and 521 lb-ft.
Dodge's investment in hybrid and electric vehicles demonstrates its recognition that evolution and change are necessary for the automotive industry. By utilizing cutting-edge technology and innovation, Dodge is driving performance, capability, and dynamic excitement past conventional standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dodge has used fossil fuels in the past, but the company is moving towards electrification.
Dodge will end its production of gas cars in 2023 and will release an all-electric muscle car in 2024.
The Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX) has invested $779.54 million in fossil fuels, which is 5.44% of the fund.
Dodge has not yet released any electric vehicles, but it has showcased the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept all-electric muscle car, which is expected to launch in 2024.
It is unclear if Dodge will completely eliminate V8 engines, but they are expected to survive in some form within the confines of emissions regulations.
