Dodge Circuit Concept: The Forgotten EV That Could Have Challenged Tesla

Electric Underdog - The world of cars is never static. It’s always changing, reinventing itself with new designs, fresh ideas, and bolder ambitions. Among these changes, electric vehicles have become one of the biggest shifts in the industry. Long before EVs became the next big thing, there were already a few bold experiments that tried to bring electric mobility into the mainstream. One of them came from an unexpected place: Dodge. Known for tire-burning muscle cars and roaring V8s, Dodge once took a surprising turn toward silent speed with a vehicle called the Dodge Circuit Concept — a sleek, all-electric roadster that almost made history.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept was a bold experiment, blending familiar Lotus styling with a fully electric drivetrain that delivered 268 horsepower to the rear wheels and performance figures well ahead of its time. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

In the late 2000s, before Tesla had become a household name and long before electric cars began appearing on every street corner, Dodge took a shot at redefining its identity. But it wasn’t acting alone. The Dodge Circuit wasn’t actually developed by Dodge’s usual team of designers and engineers. Instead, it was the product of a short-lived electric-focused division within Chrysler called ENVI. Established in 2007, ENVI was Chrysler’s ambitious attempt to step into the electric future. It was created specifically to build EVs and alternative propulsion systems. Their plan was bold: launch three production-ready electric vehicles, including the Dodge Circuit.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept was a sleek, all-electric roadster that marked a surprising turn toward silent speed and nearly made automotive history. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

Among the trio — which included a minivan and a Jeep, both using gasoline-powered generators — the Dodge Circuit stood out. Unlike its siblings, it was fully electric. It ran on a lithium-ion battery and didn’t rely on any backup fuel source. When it made its debut at the North American International Auto Show, it wasn’t just a mock-up or a design sketch. It was a working prototype, ready for the spotlight. Dodge even hinted at future plans, claiming the Circuit would arrive by 2010, followed by three more electric models by 2013.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept was not developed by Dodge’s usual team but was the creation of ENVI, a short-lived electric-focused division within Chrysler. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

But there was an interesting twist to the Circuit’s origin. When it first appeared publicly, it wore Lotus badges and was based on the Lotus Europa S platform. This wasn’t a random choice. The Europa S, with its lightweight body and low production volume, was an ideal base for a new electric sports car. The Dodge version got a bit of a styling refresh before it reappeared at the Geneva Motor Show under its new name: the Dodge Circuit EV.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept, built on the Lotus Europa S platform, used a single electric motor powered by a 35 kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver 200 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

Performance-wise, the Circuit had some bite. It used a single electric motor powered by a 35 kWh lithium-ion battery and sent 200 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. That was impressive, especially for the time. The whole car weighed just 2,650 pounds — heavier than the Lotus it was based on but still reasonably light compared to modern EVs. In many ways, it was Dodge’s answer to the Tesla Roadster, which also used a Lotus chassis (the Elise, in Tesla’s case). While Tesla grabbed headlines and investors, the Dodge Circuit stayed in the shadows, despite having performance figures that could go toe-to-toe with early EV pioneers. 

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept featured a simple yet refined interior, placing full control at the driver’s fingertips with a leather-trimmed instrument cluster housing two analog gauges and a digital display for electric-drive system information. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

Sadly, the Circuit’s story ended before it truly began. In 2009, after Chrysler was taken over by a new parent company, the ENVI division was quietly shut down. The three EVs that were slated for production were canceled, including the Circuit. The promising electric sports car faded away, and Chrysler’s first electric vehicle under the new regime turned out to be an electrified Fiat van. A far cry from the bold Dodge roadster that once dazzled auto shows.

The Dodge Circuit EV Concept delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

Yet, even though the Dodge Circuit never made it to showroom floors, it marked a moment in time when Dodge dared to think differently. It represented an alternate path — a future where American performance didn’t have to rely on gasoline. Dodge didn’t forget that path entirely. Years later, the brand would revisit electric power, though not always with the same reception. The electric Charger Daytona tried to blend muscle car identity with EV tech but stumbled in execution, while the Dodge Hornet showed that hybrid options were at least on the table. | -VvDd_ZB0vM |

The Dodge Circuit Concept is a glimpse into what could have been — an electric sports car that arrived too early for its time, from a brand that few expected would take the leap. Though it never reached production, the Circuit still holds a place in automotive history as one of Dodge’s boldest and most intriguing experiments. If nothing else, it reminds us that even the loudest voices in the combustion engine world once had the courage to go quiet — and fast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARBUZZ | MOTORHEAD 101 IN FACEBOOK | CARANDDRIVER | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]

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