Hi there! As an experienced data analyst and tech enthusiast, I‘m thrilled to see the progress electric vehicles have made. What was once seen as a niche field now produces supercars rivaling anything powered by gasoline.
In this article, I‘ll be counting down the 10 quickest production EVs today based on their 0-60 mph time and top speed specs. From practical sedans to seven-figure hypercars, electrification is bringing vehicles with unprecedented acceleration. I‘ll give you key details on each one, with stats to back it up. Let‘s dive in!
10. Audi e-tron GT – 0-60 in 3.1 seconds
Audi entered the world of electric sports cars in 2021 with the e-tron GT. Sharing a platform with the Porsche Taycan, Audi set out to prove that practical electric sedans can also be performance monsters.
Power comes from two electric motors (one front, one rear) producing a combined 637 horsepower and 612 lb-ft torque. Clever vectoring splits torque delivery between wheels for optimized grip. This allows the 4,900 pound grand tourer to hit 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, continuing on to a top speed of 149 mph.
The low, sleek exterior channels Audi‘s classic sportscar look, while the vegan leather interior aims for luxury. A 93 kWh battery enables a range of 238 miles from the EPA. While not best-in-class, the e-tron GT balances speed, comfort, and usability.
Top Speed: 149 mph
0-60 Time: 3.1 seconds
Range: 238 miles
Horsepower: 637
Torque: 612 lb-ft
Weight: 4,900 lbs
Base Price: $99,900
9. Tesla Model S Plaid – 0-60 in 1.99 seconds
Tesla shocked the world when they announced the new Model S Plaid would reach 60 mph in under 2 seconds. How did they do it? Simple – more motors. The Plaid packs a "tri-motor" system with propulsion units powering the front, rear, and center of the vehicle.
The combined output is a staggering 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft torque. That allows this practical 5-seater sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 1.99 seconds – quicker than multi-million dollar hypercars. The top speed is 200 mph.
But it’s not just straight-line speed. New adaptive air suspension, carbon-sleeved brakes, and torque vectoring make the Plaid handle like a sports car. Inside, a 17.1” infotainment display takes center stage. A 100 kWh battery enables 405 miles of range.
Top Speed: 200 mph
0-60 Time: 1.99 seconds
Range: 405 miles
Horsepower: 1,020
Torque: 1,050 lb-ft
Weight: 4,766 lbs
Base Price: $135,990
8. Lucid Air Dream Edition – 0-60 in 2.5 seconds
Lucid Motors of California aims to push EV performance to the max with its upcoming luxury sedan, the Air. The limited-production Dream Edition model in particular promises insane speed.
A "miniaturized" 113 kWh battery and dual motor proprietary drive units enable a power output of 1,111 horsepower and 10,500 lb-ft torque at the wheels. Lucid says this will launch the car from 0-60 mph in only 2.5 seconds – meeting Tesla‘s times. Top speed is targeted at 168 mph.
The Air will be the first to use Lucid‘s miniaturized drive units, saving space and weight. Lucid is co-founded and led by former Tesla Model S engineer Peter Rawlinson. Deliveries of the 529 hp base model should start in 2022, followed by the 1,111 hp Dream Edition. Just how quick it will be remains to be proven.
Top Speed: 168 mph
0-60 Time: 2.5 seconds
Range: 471 miles
Horsepower: 1,111
Torque: 10,500 lb-ft
Base Price: $169,000
7. Porsche Taycan Turbo S – 0-60 in 2.6 seconds
When Porsche, creator of the legendary 911, debuts their first all-electric car, you know it’s going to be quick. The Taycan Turbo S does not disappoint, sprinting 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.6 seconds.
Porsche achieves this with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one powering each axle. Combined, they produce a mighty 751 horsepower and 774 lb-ft torque. The Turbo S weighs 5,132 pounds, but still handles nimbly thanks to all-wheel steering.
Inside, drivers can customize powertrain modes and settings on a responsive touchscreen. Outside, the signature Porsche silhouette remains. The 93 kWh battery enables a range of 212 miles according to EPA estimates – not class-leading, but focused on speed.
Top Speed: 161 mph
0-60 Time: 2.6 seconds
Range: 212 miles
Horsepower: 751
Torque: 774 lb-ft
Weight: 5,132 lbs
Base Price: $185,000
6. Tesla Model X Plaid – 0-60 in 2.5 seconds
Following the popularity of the souped-up Model S Plaid, Tesla decided to apply the same upgrades to its three-row SUV, the Model X. The result is the performance family hauler known as the Model X Plaid.
It features the same tri-motor all-wheel-drive system as the Model S Plaid, generating 1,020 hp and allowing a 0-60 time of just 2.5 seconds – the quickest production SUV ever made. Handling gets an upgrade with adaptive air suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes.
Seating up to 7 passengers with a generous 77.7 cu-ft trunk, the Model X Plaid proves EVs can offer extreme speed without compromises. A 100 kWh battery provides 333 miles of range. The falcon wing doors still draw crowds too.
Top Speed: 163 mph
0-60 Time: 2.5 seconds
Range: 333 miles
Horsepower: 1,020
Torque: 1,050 lb-ft
Base Price: $138,990
5. Pininfarina Battista – 0-60 in Under 2 seconds
When legendary Italian design house Pininfarina unveiled their Battista electric hypercar concept in 2019, the specs seemed impossibly quick. Now headed for production in 2022, they aim to break the elusive 2 second 0-60 mph barrier.
A 120 kWh battery feeds four electric motors, one at each wheel, to produce a colossal 1,900 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft torque. Pininfarina cites aerospace partnerships and Formula E experience in developing the technology.
With a top speed exceeding 217 mph, only 150 Battista hypercars will be hand crafted in Italy, starting at $2 million each. For that price, owners get the pinnacle of EV performance wrapped in stunning automotive art.
Top Speed: 217 mph
0-60 Time: Under 2 seconds
Range: 300 miles
Horsepower: 1,900
Torque: 1,696 lb-ft
Base Price: $2 million
4. Lotus Evija – 0-60 in Under 3 seconds
When Lotus, maker of some of history‘s greatest driver‘s cars like the Elise, decided to build an electric hypercar, excitement was predictable. The result is the upcoming Evija, aiming for ludicrous speed.
Four compact e-motors generate 1,973 hp and 1,254 lb-ft torque, which Lotus says will launch the Evija to 60 mph in under three seconds – incredible given its targeted curb weight of just 3,704 lbs.
Extensive use of carbon fiber contributes to the featherweight construction. The ultra-low profile shape improves aerodynamics. Just 130 Evija models will be built, each costing around $2 million. For that price, owners get a Lotus like no other.
Top Speed: 200+ mph
0-60 Time: Under 3 seconds
Range: 250 miles
Horsepower: 1,973
Torque: 1,254 lb-ft
Weight: 3,704 lbs
Base Price: $2 million (est.)
3. Aspark Owl – 0-60 in 1.69 seconds
Currently holding the title of world‘s fastest accelerating production car is the Aspark Owl. Despite just 50 being built, it qualifies as "production" because versions are identical.
The key is lightweight materials like carbon fiber and a chassis made using 3D printing. Combined with four electric motors generating 1,985 horsepower, the Owl sprints to 60 mph in an astonishing 1.69 seconds.
The 64 kWh battery is small but enables 280 miles of range. Handling benefits from telemetry-based torque vectoring and active aerodynamics altering downforce. Priced around $3.2 million, the Owl sets new benchmarks in acceleration.
Top Speed: 249 mph
0-60 Time: 1.69 seconds
Range: 280 miles
Horsepower: 1,985
Torque: 1,641 lb-ft
Weight: 2,755 lbs
Base Price: $3.2 million
2. Tesla Roadster – 0-60 in 1.1 seconds (with SpaceX package)
We don‘t have full details yet on Tesla‘s next-generation Roadster, but claims of it hitting 60 mph in 1.9 seconds make it already one of the quickest production cars ever planned. In fact, Tesla says an optional "SpaceX package" featuring cold air rocket thrusters could drop that time to just 1.1 seconds – straight into the realms of cartoon physics.
While such extreme performance won‘t be for everyone, it shows the capability of electric technology. Tesla says three motors will produce 1,000 kW, fed by a 200 kWh battery enabling 620 miles of range. A lightweight carbon fiber body helps acceleration. The focus is clearly on speed – with a top end targeted above 250 mph.
Top Speed: 250+ mph
0-60 Time: 1.9 seconds (1.1 seconds with thrusters)
Range: 620 miles
Horsepower: 1,000 kW (1,341 hp)
Base Price: TBA (est. $200,000)
1. Rimac Nevera – 0-60 in 1.85 seconds
Currently regarded as the world‘s fastest accelerating production car is the Rimac Nevera. An all-electric hypercar from Croatia, its four electric motors produce a staggering 1,914 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft torque – enabling a sprint to 60 mph in just 1.85 seconds.
Clever torque vectoring enables acceleration forces of up to 2Gs for the driver. The top speed is electronically limited to 258 mph. Active aero and dampers keep it planted through corners.
A 120 kWh battery pack provides 340 miles of range. The carbon fiber monocoque chassis keeps weight down to 4,740 lbs dry. Just 150 will be built, at around $2.4 million each. For raw performance, nothing tops the Rimac Nevera today.
Top Speed: 258 mph
0-60 Time: 1.85 seconds
Range: 340 miles
Horsepower: 1,914
Torque: 1,741 lb-ft
Weight: 4,740 lbs
Base Price: $2.4 million
More Speed Coming Soon
As you can see from the ever-quickening 0-60 times, electric vehicles are progressing rapidly. The Lotus Evija, Pininfarina Battista, and Tesla Roadster are still upcoming models that could beat existing top speeds.
Advanced batteries, motors, lightweight materials, and smart software enable EVs to accelerate unlike anything else. I can‘t wait to see what new concepts manufacturers announce in the near future. 5-second 0-60 times will soon be considered slow in this field!
The Electric Takeover is Here
After reviewing these stats, one thing is clear – electrification means performance. While they used to be dismissed as slow, today‘s top EVs now out-accelerate even the fastest supercars ever made.
More than just straight-line speed, electric motors offer instant torque across the entire power band for incredible response at any speed. Combined with low centers of gravity and sophisticated traction systems, they can corner just as hard.
Whether an affordable family car or $2 million hypercar, EVs make possible what was unthinkable a decade ago. As battery tech improves, I expect acceleration achievements to keep exceeding expectations.
For driving enthusiasts like us, the electric future looks bright. Quiet, clean, and astoundingly quick – these are truly the golden years of high performance cars. I can‘t wait to experience what innovators like Tesla, Rimac, and Lotus create next. Let me know which EV you‘d want to test drive first!