While factors like price, range, and charging time tend to dominate discussions around electric vehicles, there‘s one performance metric that is often overlooked but critically important for demonstrating the raw potential of EV technology – top speed. Achieving an ultra-high top speed in an EV is the ultimate test for electric motors, battery systems, and vehicle engineering. It pushes the boundaries of what‘s possible and serves as a halo for automakers looking to prove their high-performance bona fides.
In this article, we‘ll count down the 10 fastest electric production vehicles on the planet ranked by top speed. We‘ll explore the specifications and capabilities of each one, detail the story behind their creation, and discuss the automakers responsible for these electron-powered speed demons. We‘ll also examine some of the key engineering challenges around reaching extremely high speeds with an EV powertrain. Finally, we‘ll look ahead to the future and highlight some upcoming EVs that may steal the top speed crown.
So put on your racing helmet, strap in, and get ready to explore the frontier of all-electric high performance. These are the 10 fastest EVs that money can buy.
10. Tesla Model 3 Performance
We start the list with the "slowest" car here, the Tesla Model 3 Performance. While it may rank #10 among this speedy group, the Model 3 Performance is still a very impressive sports sedan. It can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 162 mph. Dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a 75 kWh battery pack help it achieve this level of quickness.
The Model 3 Performance also boasts up to 315 miles of range, access to Tesla‘s expansive Supercharger network, and all the cutting-edge tech features Tesla is known for like Autopilot. With a starting price around $55,000, it‘s also one of the most affordable cars on this list. The Model 3 Performance shows that Tesla can deliver serious speed in a practical and attainable package.
9. Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche‘s first all-electric vehicle, the Taycan, had to be special to live up to the brand‘s legendary high-performance heritage. The top-of-the-line Turbo S model does not disappoint. It packs a whopping 750 horsepower, 774 lb-ft of torque, and a 93.4 kWh battery. This allows it to catapult from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 161 mph.
The Taycan Turbo S also features high-tech goodies like an 800-volt electrical architecture and a two-speed transmission on the rear axle to optimize acceleration and efficiency. Powerful carbon ceramic brakes bring the action to a halt. As with any Porsche, the Taycan‘s handling, braking and overall dynamics are superlative. Of course, this level of performance doesn‘t come cheap with the Turbo S starting around $185,000.
8. Automobili Pininfarina Battista
Pininfarina is known for designing some of the most iconic sports cars of all time, like the Ferrari Testarossa and F40. Now the Italian firm is producing an EV hypercar under its own name – the Battista. As you‘d expect, it has show-stopping looks, but the performance is even more outrageous.
Powering the Battista is a quad-motor powertrain producing 1,900 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft of torque. Pininfarina says this will launch the hypercar from 0-60 mph in under 2 seconds and on to a top speed of 217 mph. Range is estimated at 280 miles from a 120 kWh battery pack. Only 150 Battistas will be made, with a price tag around $2.2 million. It‘s an ultra-exclusive electron rocket.
7. Tesla Model S Plaid
The Tesla Model S Plaid currently wears the crown of the world‘s quickest accelerating production vehicle, with the ability to surge from 0-60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. But it‘s also one of the fastest EVs in terms of top speed too, able to reach 200 mph with the right tires and wheels equipped.
Tesla has pushed the performance boundaries with the Plaid edition, which features a tri-motor powertrain generating 1,020 horsepower. The 0-100 mph sprint takes just 4.2 seconds. Despite this hypercar-rivaling performance, the Model S Plaid still seats five and can travel 390 miles on a charge. With a price starting around $135,000, it delivers a lot of speed for the money.
6. Lotus Evija
Legendary British sports car maker Lotus is going all-in on electrification, as previewed by the stunning Evija hypercar. The first all-electric vehicle from Lotus packs a mind-blowing 1,972 horsepower and 1,254 lb-ft of torque from four electric motors. The sprint from 0-60 mph takes well under 3 seconds and top speed is north of 200 mph.
Backing up this prodigious power is a 70 kWh battery pack mounted behind the cockpit for optimal weight distribution. Active aerodynamics help keep the Evija stable at super high speeds. As with all Lotus cars, the focus is on lightweight construction, with extensive carbon fiber used throughout. Production is limited to just 130 cars worldwide, with prices starting at $2.3 million. The Evija marks an electrifying new chapter for Lotus.
5. Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance
Lucid Motors is one of the most promising new EV startups, and the Air sedan showcases their technological prowess. The range-topping Dream Edition Performance boasts some truly incredible numbers – 1,111 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and a top speed of 168 mph. This performance comes courtesy of a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain and 113 kWh battery pack.
But the Air is not just about straight line speed. It features an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.21, which helps it slip through the air efficiently to achieve a record-breaking range of up to 520 miles. The Dream Edition Performance starts around $170,000, placing it in between the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid in price. Lucid is showing it can play with the big boys when it comes to EV technology.
4. NIO EP9
Chinese EV startup NIO made a splash with its EP9 electric supercar back in 2016. The track-focused machine packs four electric motors generating a combined 1,341 horsepower, enough to propel it from 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 195 mph. Just as impressive as the performance is the EP9‘s advanced battery system.
The EP9 uses swappable batteries that can be changed out in just 8 minutes, allowing the car to stay in action longer during track days. A full charge takes 45 minutes and provides a range of 265 miles. NIO has already set EV lap records at several famous tracks worldwide with the EP9. It‘s one of the quickest cars around a circuit, electric or otherwise.
3. Rimac Concept_One
Before the Nevera, there was the Concept_One – Rimac‘s first crack at an electric hypercar. It features a 90 kWh battery pack and four electric motors generating a total of 1,224 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. This gives it the ability to rocket from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 221 mph. Only 8 examples of the Concept_One were produced.
What‘s impressive about the Concept_One is that Rimac developed the entire vehicle – batteries, motors, power electronics, software – in-house in Croatia. This set the stage for Rimac becoming a technology powerhouse that now supplies EV components to bigger automakers like Porsche, Aston Martin, and Pininfarina. The Concept_One put Rimac on the map as the new leader in EV hypercars.
2. Aspark Owl
Japan‘s Aspark isn‘t a household name in the automotive world, but their Owl electric hypercar aims to change that in short order. As the name suggests, the Owl is designed for maximum speed, with claims of a 249 mph top end. Getting there from a standstill takes just 1.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest accelerating cars in the world.
Underneath the Owl‘s dramatic bodywork is a 1,480 kW battery pack powering four electric motors with a total output of 1,985 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. Extensive carbon fiber construction keeps weight down to improve performance. Aspark plans to build just 50 Owls, with a cost of nearly $3.6 million each. It‘s a bold bid to put Japan back at the forefront of the hypercar hierarchy.
1. Rimac Nevera
Topping our list of the fastest EVs by top speed is the mighty Rimac Nevera. With a face-melting 258 mph top speed, this electric hypercar eclipses its rivals by a significant margin. It‘s also blisteringly quick off the line, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 1.85 seconds and 0-100 mph in 4.3 seconds courtesy of a 1,914 horsepower quad-motor powertrain.
Backing up the huge power is a 120 kWh lithium-manganese-nickel battery developed fully in-house using Rimac‘s engineering expertise. With numerous patents in battery and power management systems, Rimac‘s technology has attracted investment from Porsche and Hyundai. The Nevera is the ultimate showcase of what Rimac can do, and only 150 examples will be made at a cost of $2 million each. It currently stands alone as the fastest EV that money can buy.
Engineering High Speed EVs
Achieving these lofty top speeds with an electric powertrain presents some unique engineering challenges compared to traditional gasoline-powered supercars and hypercars. One major issue is keeping the electric motors and battery system cool under extended high loads. Without proper thermal management, the powertrain can quickly overheat, leading to reduced performance or even complete failure.
Aerodynamics also play a huge role in top speed. While electric motors can generate prodigious power, pushing a car through the air at 200+ mph requires slippery bodywork and active aerodynamic elements to maintain stability and traction. Thankfully, EVs have some inherent advantages here, as the compact electric motors can be positioned in ways that optimize airflow.
Tires are another critical factor in top speed. Many high performance EVs require special high-speed rated tires to safely handle the forces and heat buildup that occur at ultra-high velocities. Manufacturers must work closely with tire suppliers to develop bespoke compounds and construction.
The Future of High Speed EVs
As EV technology continues to advance, expect to see even higher top speeds. Solid-state batteries promise higher power density, faster charging, and less heat buildup than current lithium-ion cells. This could allow automakers to further boost power and range.
Several upcoming electric hypercars are already targeting top speeds well above 250 mph. The Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster boasts a theoretical top speed approaching 300 mph, while the Deus Vayanne hypercar is aiming for 248 mph. Electric motors are already surpassing combustion engines in terms of acceleration. It may not be long before EVs are topping the charts in top speed as well.
The quest for speed will always capture the imaginations of engineers and auto enthusiasts. As this list of the fastest EVs shows, electric powertrains are already proving their mettle in the top speed race. It‘s only a matter of time before more records fall to the relentless march of electrification. Gentlemen, charge your batteries.
