The 1982 Jet Electrica 007 Is the Dodge Omni 024 EV You Never Knew Existed

Aimed at the Volkswagen Scirocco and the hatchback version of the Honda Accord, the Omni 024 was available with inline-four engines. The lineup included a Volkswagen-sourced 1.7-liter powerplant (70 horsepower) and a Chrysler 2.2-liter K-code mill (84 horsepower).

The Omni 024 wasn't as popular as the regular hatchback version, so Dodge opted to change its name to the Charger in 1983. At the time it was discontinued, the Omni 024 had delivered 160,729 units (over four model years). The nearly identical Plymouth TC3 moved 208,405 examples.

While the Omni/Horizon twins played a significant role in the survival of the financially challenged Chrysler Corporation, the 024/TC3 versions are largely forgotten nowadays. As is Jet Industries, the company that built an all-electric version of the hatchback coupe.

The electric car market was pretty much non-existent in the 1970s, but that didn't stop a few ventures from trying to create one. Established in 1977, Jet Industries of Austin, Texas, developed a full lineup of EVs based on existing production models.

Among the vehicles modified by Jet Industries to accept electric motors and batteries were the Subaru Sambar (Electra-Van 600), the Mazda B2000 (Electra-Van 750), the Ford Escort (Electrica), and the Dodge Van. The EV based on the Dodge Omni 024 was called the Electrica 007.

The coupe was fitted with a 23-horsepower DC electric motor under the hood, while the trunk was modified to accommodate a sizeable battery pack made of 15 six-volt lead-acid units. Jet Industries claimed that the 007 had a range of 50 miles (80 km) and reached a top speed of 70 mph (113 kph).

Unfortunately for Jet Industries, electric motor and battery tech weren't all that great back in the day. Demand for EVs was also very low, so the company opted to shut down in the early 1980s. Thankfully, some Electrica 007s (is this a James Bond reference?) are still around to tell the story. This silver example is one of them.

Jet Industries reportedly sold over 1,500 conversions in its short time on the market. It's unclear how many were electrified Omni 024s, but some sources claim about 50 are known to exist. If that's the case, we're looking at an ultra-rare classic.

The coupe appears to be in excellent condition inside and out, and the original electric motor is still under the hood. However, the battery pack has been removed from the trunk. That might be bad news for purists, but it opens the door for a modern upgrade that would enable this 1980s coupe to travel for more than 50 miles on a single charge.

This intriguing time capsule is part of the Larry Klairmont Museum collection and will cross the block on September 21 at Mecum's Larry's Legacy 2025 auction. The company doesn't provide an estimate, but the EV is selling at no reserve.