Do you feel the need for speed? Top speed and acceleration reveal how cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and other vehicles perform in this department. Most drivers seldom push their cars to the limit, but they will talk about how fast they can go if they ever shift into high gear and put the pedal to the metal.
Electric cars can also take people to their destination in record time. Indeed, electric vehicles (EVs) give the feel of going faster than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts because they deliver torque immediately.
To produce the peak torque needed for their top speed, ICE vehicles need to attain high revolutions per minute (RPMs). This can take a while, especially during cold starts.
In comparison, the electric motors that drive EV wheels can deliver peak torque at zero RPM. That means electric cars can hit their fastest speed very quickly without needing any buildup.
What Is The Fastest Electric Car?
So what is the fastest available car on the market right now? We identified the top models in terms of miles per hour.
BMW i4 M50
Top Speed: 140 mph
0-60 Time: 3.7 seconds
The BMW i4 M50 is the sports sedan version of the German car manufacturer’s i4 electric car. Its dual electric motors produce 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to go from zero to 60 mph in less than four seconds. The dual-motor setup also enables excellent all-wheel drive capability.
Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+
Top Speed: 155 mph
0-60 Time: 3.4 seconds
Mercedes-Benz‘s flagship luxury sedan model got an electrifying upgrade, thanks to the company’s AMG performance division. The AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the first all-electric MB car with the AMG nameplate. It produces 649 hp, which goes up to 751 hp if you get the boost mode option. It also has a firm ride and extra driving modes while keeping the same range as the EQS it’s based on.
Audi RS e-tron GT
Top Speed: 155 mph
0-60 Time: 3.1 seconds
The Audi RS e-tron GT takes the performance of the earlier e-tron GT to the next level. Its dual motors generate 590 hp and 612 pound-feet of torque, and its boost mode can increase engine power to 637 hp. Aside from its high acceleration, it also goes the extra mile to make its passengers comfortable with its smooth ride and luxurious interior.
Tesla Model Y Performance
Top Speed: 155 mph
0-60 Time: 3.5 seconds
First unveiled in 2020, the Tesla Model Y set the standard for the all-electric small SUV class. Its 2022 version received some updates, and the Performance model adds impressive acceleration on top of those improvements. While it’s got competition from other EVs in the same class, the Model Y remains a good choice for an electric SUV.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Top Speed: 161 mph
0-60 Time: 2.6 Seconds
Want to drive the next best thing to a supercar and enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle? The Porsche Taycan ticks both boxes while giving the road performance and driving pleasure you expect out of the brand. Its Turbo S trim is its most capable version and can give the Tesla Model S a good run for its money.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
Top Speed: 162 mph
0-60 Time: 3.1 Seconds
The smallest and most budget-friendly among Tesla’s electric cars, the Model 3 remains a solid EV as of 2022. Its Performance trim has the best performance on the road, giving high top speed and impressive acceleration.
Tesla Model X Plaid
Top Speed: 163 mph
0-60 Time: 2.5 Seconds
The 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid is every bit as fast as the bird-of-prey namesake of the falcon-wing rear doors. Powered by three electric motors that deliver a total of 1,020 horsepower, it accelerates from stationary to sixty in less than three seconds. Its range is nothing to sneeze at, either, but some people find its less traditional features a bit hard to get used to.
Lucid Air Dream Performance
Top Speed: 169 mph
0-60 Time: 2.5 Seconds
How about an all-American luxury sedan that can run like a supercar and work like a daily driver? The 2022 Lucid Air is the first luxury sedan offered by newcomer Lucid Motors. Its Performance trim has two electric motors that match the output of two V8 engines at 1,111 hp, and it can go for more than 500 miles on a full charge.
Tesla Model S Plaid
Top Speed: 200 mph
0-60 Time: 1.99 seconds
The Tesla Model S stays in production, thanks to its vigorous performance and all-electric range that few EVs can match. Its Plaid trim offers superior performance on the road while keeping the Model S’s existing advantages, such as roomy cargo space and good range.
Lotus Evija
Top Speed: 200+ mph
0-60 Time: 3.0 Seconds
The Lotus Evija isn’t for most drivers. Only 130 units are slated for manufacture, each costs more than $2 million, and it’s not street-legal. Still, this hypercar is a racing machine that runs on four electric motors for nearly 2,000 hp and immense acceleration. It also has fast charging technology that replenishes 80% of its charge in a dozen minutes.
Rimac Nevera
Top Speed: 258 mph
0-60 Time: 1.85 Seconds
A newcomer from Croatia claims the title of the world’s fastest electric car. Named for a fierce storm that strikes the country’s coast, it certainly has power worthy of its inspiration. Four electric motors produce 1,877 horsepower, which is twice that of a Formula 1 car. Rimac Automobili is building only 150 of these hypercars, with each going for $2.5 million.
While it’s highly unlikely you’ll get your hands on a Rimac Nevera or Lotus Evija, the other electric cars on this list are fair game. EV prices are going down and their operating costs are much lower than those of vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel. Moreover, with the right federal and state rebates, getting a fast EV is now easier than ever.
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