The sale of the Dodge Durango R/T and SRT Hellcat has been banned in seventeen states and Washington, D.C., due to regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This decision comes despite recent rollbacks of fuel-economy standards under the Trump Administration. As a result, Dodge will not be able to sell these high-performance models in CARB-compliant states, which include California, New York, and Massachusetts, among others.
Mopar Insiders was the first to report this development, revealing it through a dealer ordering guide. A spokesperson for Dodge confirmed the details to Motor1, noting that the company intends to transition to an all-V-8 lineup for the 2026 model year. The base V-6 option will be eliminated, with the Durango GT featuring a 5.7-liter V-8 engine. Meanwhile, the Durango R/T 392 will come equipped with a 6.4-liter naturally aspirated V-8, and the SRT Hellcat will boast a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8.
Dodge’s announcement to shift its lineup occurred shortly after the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which reduced penalties for exceeding Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to zero. Despite these changes, Dodge is actively seeking ways to sell the R/T and Hellcat models in CARB states. The spokesperson stated, “As we prepare to begin production of the Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak later in Q4 and open for orders of the Durango R/T 392 by the end of the year, we continue to work with CARB on opportunities to sell these two powertrains in all states alongside the 5.7-liter Durango GT.”
The states that have implemented the ban under CARB regulations are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Under the leadership of CEO Carlos Tavares, Stellantis has been moving away from its traditional V-8 models in the United States. The company has replaced the Charger and Challenger with a single model, the Charger, which is available with battery or straight-six powertrains. Additionally, the 5.7-liter Hemi engine has been dropped from the Ram 1500 lineup.
However, following Tavares’s departure late last year and the rollback of fuel-economy regulations, Stellantis has shifted back towards V-8 engines. The Ram 1500 has seen the reintroduction of the 5.7-liter V-8, along with the return of the supercharged TRX model. In a related development, Dodge has canceled its electric 1500 REV pickup to refocus on its range-extended truck.
While the Durango SRT Hellcat continues to be a focal point for Dodge, CARB regulations present a significant challenge for Stellantis as it attempts to revive its signature V-8 vehicles. The company’s efforts to navigate these obstacles will be essential for its performance models moving forward.
