The 2024 Dodge Charger produces different emissions depending on which engine and powertrain you choose

The 2024 Dodge Charger comes in three distinct versions: a gas-powered model with a V8 engine, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fully electric model called the Charger 6e. Each one has a different environmental footprint. The gas V8 produces the highest tailpipe emissions, the PHEV reduces emissions when running on battery power but still relies on gas, and the electric 6e produces zero direct emissions while driving. Your choice depends on how much you drive, whether you can charge at home, and what emissions matter most to you.

Understanding these differences helps you make a decision that fits your driving habits and environmental priorities. The EPA rates each version separately because they perform so differently on the road.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 Dodge Charger V8 produces tailpipe emissions typical of large gas-powered vehicles, while the PHEV and electric 6e produce lower or zero direct emissions.
  • The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can run on battery alone for short trips, which means zero emissions for daily commutes if you charge overnight.
  • The fully electric Charger 6e produces no tailpipe emissions but its total environmental impact depends on how your local power grid generates electricity.
  • Manufacturing an electric vehicle requires more energy and mining than a gas car, but this is offset over time through cleaner driving.

How the 2024 Charger V8 engine affects air quality

The standard 2024 Dodge Charger uses a 5.7-liter V8 engine that burns gasoline and releases carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter into the air. The EPA rates its combined fuel economy at approximately 16 miles per gallon, which means it burns more fuel and produces more emissions per mile than smaller vehicles. This engine meets current federal emissions standards, but it still contributes to both climate change (through CO2) and local air pollution (through NOx and particles).

If you drive this model in an urban area, you are contributing to smog and air quality problems that affect people with asthma and respiratory conditions. Over a year of typical driving (12,000 miles), a V8 Charger produces roughly 8 to 10 tons of CO2, though this varies based on your actual driving patterns and fuel quality.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) reduces emissions for short trips

The 2024 Dodge Charger plug-in hybrid pairs a gas engine with a battery and electric motor. It can run on battery power alone for approximately 32 miles before the gas engine kicks in. This matters because most Americans drive fewer than 30 miles per day, which means a PHEV can handle your commute on electricity alone if you charge it overnight at home.

When running on battery power, the PHEV produces zero tailpipe emissions. Once the battery depletes, the gas engine starts and you get the emissions of a hybrid vehicle, which is more efficient than a standard V8 but still produces CO2 and NOx. The real environmental benefit depends on whether you actually charge it regularly. If you plug in every night, your daily commute is clean. If you rarely charge, you are driving a less efficient gas vehicle.

The PHEV's battery is smaller than a fully electric vehicle's, so it requires less mining and manufacturing impact upfront. This makes it a middle-ground option if you want lower emissions without the cost or charging infrastructure concerns of a full electric vehicle.

The 2024 Charger 6e electric vehicle produces zero tailpipe emissions

The fully electric Charger 6e produces no exhaust or tailpipe emissions while driving. It runs entirely on a rechargeable battery and produces zero CO2, NOx, or particulate matter on the road. This is a significant advantage in cities and neighborhoods where air quality is poor.

However, the total environmental impact of an electric vehicle depends on how your local power grid generates electricity. If your region relies heavily on coal or natural gas power plants, the electricity charging your Charger 6e still comes from fossil fuels — just burned at a power plant instead of in your car. If your grid uses wind, solar, or nuclear power, the environmental benefit is much larger. You can check your local grid's energy mix through your utility company's website or through the EPA's Power Profiler tool.

Manufacturing the Charger 6e's large battery requires mining lithium, cobalt, and other minerals, which has its own environmental cost. Over the vehicle's lifetime, however, the cleaner driving more than offsets this manufacturing impact. Studies show that an electric vehicle becomes environmentally better than a gas car within two to three years of driving, depending on your grid's energy sources.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions across all three models

The EPA measures fuel economy differently for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles, so direct comparison requires some translation. The 2024 Charger V8 achieves approximately 16 miles per gallon combined, producing roughly 500 grams of CO2 per mile. The PHEV achieves an EPA rating of approximately 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) when running on electricity, and approximately 25 miles per gallon when the gas engine is running. The fully electric Charger 6e achieves approximately 100 MPGe, which translates to roughly 200 grams of CO2 per mile when accounting for grid emissions.

These numbers show that both the PHEV and the electric 6e produce significantly lower emissions per mile than the V8, assuming the PHEV is charged regularly. The exact benefit of the electric 6e depends on your local power grid, but even in regions with dirtier grids, it typically produces fewer emissions than a gas engine over its lifetime.

Battery recycling and long-term environmental impact

Both the PHEV and the Charger 6e contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that eventually wear out. When a battery reaches the end of its useful life in a vehicle, it can be recycled to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other valuable materials. Recycling reduces the need for new mining and keeps these materials out of landfills.

Dodge and other manufacturers are investing in battery recycling programs, though the infrastructure is still developing. Some recycled batteries are also repurposed for stationary energy storage, where they can store electricity from solar panels or wind turbines. This second life extends the environmental value of the battery beyond the vehicle itself.

If you purchase a PHEV or electric Charger, ask the dealer about the manufacturer's battery recycling program. Many offer mail-in recycling or partnerships with certified recyclers, and some may offer a small credit toward your next purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2024 Charger 6e really zero emissions?

The Charger 6e produces zero tailpipe emissions while driving, but the electricity charging it comes from your local power grid, which may use fossil fuels. The vehicle itself is zero-emission, but the source of that electricity varies by region. In areas with renewable energy, the total environmental impact is much lower than in areas relying on coal or gas power plants.

Should I buy the PHEV if I can't charge at home?

A PHEV without home charging loses much of its environmental advantage because you will rely on the gas engine most of the time. If you cannot charge regularly, a standard gas Charger or a fully electric vehicle (if you have access to public charging) may be better choices depending on your driving patterns and local charging infrastructure.

How long does a Charger battery last?

Most modern EV and PHEV batteries are warrantied for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. In practice, they typically retain 70 to 80 percent of their capacity after 10 years. Degradation is gradual, so you lose range slowly rather than suddenly losing the ability to drive.

Does the Charger 6e cost more to charge than gas costs to drive?

Electricity is generally cheaper per mile than gasoline, but the exact cost depends on your local electricity rates and gas prices. On average, charging an electric vehicle costs about one-third to one-half as much per mile as driving a gas car, though this varies significantly by region and time of day.

What is the environmental cost of mining lithium for EV batteries?

Lithium mining uses water and energy and can affect local ecosystems, particularly in South America and Australia. However, the environmental damage from mining is offset over the vehicle's lifetime by the emissions saved through cleaner driving. Recycling programs are also reducing the need for new mining as battery materials are recovered and reused.