When thinking of the most outrageous and advanced concept cars, Dodge is not usually the first brand to pop into mind. In fact Dodge has been given an image in American pop culture as a car ‘grandpa’ would drive around in, or ‘Al Bundy’ for that matter. The Dodge Viper has obviously been a force in the modern muscle car industry, yet when it comes to groundbreaking futuristic ideas, the foreign markets, mainly in Japan and Europe, have been primarily leading the way.

It is time for a new era of all-American muscle cars, and when it comes to American muscle, Dodge has always been at the forefront. Yet recently in the automobile industry to truly be considered “next generation,” a car must not be entirely dependent on petroleum in order to run. Therefore Dodge has developed a concept that they hope will one day take the world by storm. The 2008 Dodge ZEO concept will be powered with an “all-electric, lithium ion battery power-plant.” This battery will only have to be recharged every 250 miles.[1] The ability to go 0-60 in under six seconds will have adrenaline junkies feeling “greener” every day. This all-electric EV is in complete contrast to the Viper due to its zero emissions and zero dependence on fossil fuels. The Viper on the other hand is an extreme gas guzzler. Only time will tell if the ZEO is the Viper’s true predecessor as the unofficial leader of muscle cars in the United States. If it is, the human race will benefit in the long run.

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