Dodge Police Charger Sticks With Gas V8, Skips Electric Powertrain
The pursuit-rated model retains a gasoline engine as other automakers explore electric options for law enforcement fleets.
Dodge has unveiled its latest pursuit-rated Charger for law enforcement agencies—and the vehicle will be powered by a gasoline V8 engine rather than electricity, according to a report from Electrek.
What Happened
The new Dodge Police Charger is built specifically for police use and features a traditional internal combustion engine. This decision runs counter to broader automotive industry trends toward electrification. Ford has already begun deploying its all-electric F-150 Lightning in some fleet applications, including law enforcement pilot programs, while Tesla has not announced specific pursuit-vehicle offerings. The gas-powered Charger's introduction means departments seeking proven V8 performance from a major automaker still have at least one option available.
Why It Matters
Law enforcement agencies face distinct operational requirements for pursuit vehicles, including rapid acceleration, high-speed stability, and the ability to operate continuously at varying speeds. Fleet managers evaluating their next generation of police cars must weigh factors such as range, refueling times, and infrastructure availability against manufacturer commitments to electrification seen in other vehicle segments.
The Bottom Line
The new Dodge Police Charger's gasoline-only approach leaves it among the limited options for departments prioritizing traditional V8 pursuit performance. Specific details on horsepower, pricing, and availability were not available at press time—this story will be updated as more information becomes public.
