Dodge Says The Hellcat Engine Has Been Banned In These States
The Dodge Durango’s democratization of the V8 has already hit a roadblock. Despite the Trump Administration gutting federal fuel-economy penalties, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) still holds sway over nearly 40 percent of the U.S. market.
Key Points
- The 392 and Hellcat models can’t be sold in 17 states plus Washington, DC, due to stricter emissions rules.
- While the Durango GT’s 5.7 Hemi is available nationwide, Dodge is negotiating to get its higher-output trims cleared.
- With federal fuel penalties rolled back and leadership changes at the top, Stellantis is re-embracing V-8s across its lineup.
What that means is the Durango R/T 392 and Durango SRT Hellcat can’t be sold in those states.
The news first surfaced through Mopar Insiders, which peeped the sales restriction in a dealer order guide. Dodge later confirmed that while the Durango GT with its 5.7-liter Hemi will be available nationwide, the higher-output 6.4-liter R/T and 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat trims are effectively banned in CARB states.
Seventeen states plus Washington, DC, follow CARB standards, including big markets like California, New York, and Massachusetts. That’s tough news for Dodge, which only just went all-in on V8 power for the aging Durango in the 2026 model year. With the base V6 gone, the 5.7L V8-powered GT will be the only Durango available nationwide.
Dodge says it’s working to change that, although it's unclear what exactly the company is doing, and how likely it is to succeed. The 6.4-liter V8 and the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat don’t meet CARB’s emissions requirements. In order to offer those engines in CARB markets, Stellantis/FCA would need extra certifications and mechanical modifications that might not make financial sense.
Under former CEO Carlos Tavares, Stellantis began phasing out V8s in favor of smaller six-cylinder and electrified powertrains. The Charger and Challenger were replaced by a single model offering battery-electric and turbocharged inline-six options, while the Ram 1500 lost its 5.7 Hemi.
With Trump’s rollback of fuel-economy standards and Tavares’ ouster last year, Stellantis is leaning back into big-displacement power. The Ram 1500 has already regained its 5.7-liter option, while recently cancelling its all-electric Ram 1500 REV in favor of a range-extended hybrid.
For now, though, CARB remains an immovable object standing in the way of Dodge’s V8 comeback tour. It's also unclear if Dodge will be able to sell the full Durango lineup in the Canadian market, as Canada’s emissions framework closely mirrors CARB standards.
A full list of CARB states where the Durango R/T and Hellcat are banned can be found below:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
What about other supercars with 8, 12, 16, cylinders?
New York state sucks. Why is it you can still buy used 392's, Hellcats, TRX'S, but not new ones. So GD stupid.