Electric vehicles have rapidly shifted from being primarily associated with efficiency and environmental consciousness to becoming formidable contenders in the realm of high-performance automobiles. While discussions around EVs often highlight maximizing range and battery technology, a thrilling revolution is taking place: the pursuit of sheer, electrifying speed. The instantaneous torque and potent power delivery of electric motors are being harnessed by automakers to create vehicles that not only rival but often surpass the quickest gasoline-powered supercars on the planet. For those considering an upgrade to one of these performance EVs, it’s worth remembering to responsibly dispose of your current vehicle, with services like vehicle recycling programs providing eco-friendly solutions for transitioning to electric mobility.
Even mainstream electric SUVs are now delivering acceleration figures that were once exclusive to high-performance sports cars. As manufacturers push the boundaries of EV technology, we are witnessing the emergence of truly breathtaking machines that redefine what “fast” means in the automotive world.
In the exciting landscape of electric cars, a clear hierarchy is emerging: there are fast EVs, and then there are mind-blowingly fast EVs. These are the vehicles that not only leave traditional supercars in their dust but also challenge our very perceptions of speed and performance. This surge in performance is a key factor driving the increasing popularity of electric vehicles. Looking at the growth of electric car adoption globally, it’s evident that this trend is not slowing down, with EVs poised to dominate the future of personal transportation.
This article celebrates the pinnacle of electric speed, showcasing the top 10 fastest EVs in the world based on their acceleration capabilities. While top speed is also a critical metric, we’ve focused on 0-60 mph (or 0-62 mph where available) times to rank these electrifying machines. Our list prioritizes road-legal, production models, excluding concept cars or track-only vehicles.
10. Audi RS e-tron GT
Power: 637bhp
0-62mph: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Audi’s RS e-tron GT represents a masterful blend of German engineering and electrifying performance, effectively leveraging technology shared with Porsche while presenting it in a distinctly Audi package. The e-tron GT is fundamentally a luxurious grand tourer designed for long distances, offering a spacious cabin for four occupants, a substantial electric range reaching up to 305 miles, and rapid charging capabilities. However, beneath its refined exterior lies a surprising level of performance, especially in the top-tier RS variant.
While even the standard e-tron GT models boast impressive all-wheel-drive and 523bhp, achieving 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds, the RS e-tron GT elevates performance significantly. Its enhanced powertrain delivers 637bhp, enabling it to sprint from 0-62mph in a mere 3.3 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. For enthusiasts seeking even greater performance from this platform, the Porsche Taycan, sharing the same foundation, offers even more exhilarating options.
9. Lotus Eletre R
Power: 905bhp
0-62mph: 2.95 seconds
Top speed: 165mph
While Lotus’s extreme Evija hypercar is excluded from this list due to limited production and verifiable 0-62mph figures, the British marque is strongly represented by the Eletre and Emeya models. The Eletre marks Lotus’s foray into the SUV segment, yet it’s engineered to uphold the brand’s reputation for dynamic and engaging driving experiences. To achieve this, the Eletre incorporates advanced systems such as active air suspension, active anti-roll bars, four-wheel steering, and sophisticated torque vectoring.
Even the base Eletre model delivers a robust 603bhp from its all-wheel-drive system, achieving a respectable 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds. However, for inclusion in this list of fastest EVs, the Eletre R is essential. This high-performance variant features a dual-motor setup producing a staggering 905bhp. This immense power translates to a 0-62mph sprint in just 2.95 seconds and a top speed of 165mph, positioning the Eletre R as a true performance SUV.
8. Lotus Emeya R
Power: 905bhp
0-62mph: 2.8 seconds
Top speed: 159mph
The Lotus Emeya’s performance metrics closely mirror those of the Eletre, as both models are built on the same advanced platform and utilize identical powertrains. While the Eletre R caters to the high-performance SUV market, the Emeya is designed to compete directly with performance sedans like the Porsche Taycan.
Thanks to its lower profile and more aerodynamic body design, all Emeya versions exhibit slightly quicker acceleration compared to their Eletre counterparts. In the top-spec R configuration, the 905bhp powertrain propels the Emeya from 0-62mph in a mere 2.8 seconds. The top speed is marginally reduced to 159mph, likely due to aerodynamic considerations optimized for acceleration. Like the Eletre, the Emeya is equipped with four-wheel steering, active suspension, and intelligent torque management to deliver the signature Lotus driving dynamics within its segment.
7. Maserati Granturismo Folgore
Power: 751bhp
0-62mph: 2.7 seconds
Top speed: 202mph
“Folgore,” the Italian word for lightning, is aptly chosen by Maserati to denote its all-electric models, signaling a rapid shift towards electrification. Even the Maserati Grecale Folgore SUV achieves a 0-62mph sprint in just over 4 seconds, but the Granturismo Folgore takes electric performance to a new level.
This striking two-door supercar achieves the benchmark sprint in an astonishing 2.7 seconds and continues to a top speed of 202mph. This incredible performance is delivered by a tri-motor system—two motors at the rear and one at the front—producing a combined 751bhp and a massive 996lb ft of torque. The Granturismo Folgore is not only the most powerful model in Maserati’s current lineup but also the quickest accelerating, making a bold statement about the Italian brand’s commitment to embracing an electric future while retaining its performance heritage.
6. Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
Power: 1,093bhp
0-62mph: 2.2 seconds
Top speed: 190mph
The Porsche Taycan revolutionized perceptions of electric vehicles upon its introduction, demonstrating that EVs could offer more than just straight-line speed. It brought a level of driver engagement and dynamic agility previously absent in high-performance EVs, proving that electric performance could be nuanced and involving. That being said, the Taycan is also undeniably quick in a straight line, especially with the enhancements introduced in the 2024 model updates. Even the base Taycan 4S models now achieve 0-62mph in under 5 seconds.
Prior to the release of the Turbo GT, the Turbo S was the fastest Taycan variant, with a 0-62mph time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. However, Porsche engineers have now unleashed the Taycan Turbo GT, a model that amplifies every aspect of performance. The Turbo GT produces a staggering 1,093bhp. Equipped with the optional Weissach package, the Taycan Turbo GT achieves 0-62mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds, and even without the package, it manages 2.3 seconds. Top speed also sees an increase, with the standard Turbo GT reaching 180mph and the Weissach edition topping out at 190mph, firmly placing it among the fastest production cars globally.
5. Tesla Model S Plaid
Power: 1,006bhp
0-62mph: 2.1 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
While Tesla has made ambitious claims regarding the performance of the long-awaited Roadster, its production status remains uncertain, leading us to focus on currently available models. Nevertheless, Tesla undeniably produces one of the quickest electric cars available today: the Model S Plaid.
The Model S Plaid utilizes a tri-motor setup to generate an astounding 1,006bhp, enabling a 0-62mph time of just over 2 seconds. With optional hardware upgrades, the Model S Plaid can reportedly reach a top speed of 200mph. Impressively, this performance is packaged within a large family sedan that offers a spacious trunk and access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. However, it’s worth noting that right-hand-drive versions are no longer manufactured, meaning buyers in certain markets will need to opt for a left-hand-drive model from European inventory.
4. Lucid Air Sapphire
Power: 1,217bhp
0-62mph: 1.95 seconds
Top speed: 205mph
Tesla is not alone in producing high-performance luxury electric sedans capable of delivering supercar-level acceleration. Lucid Motors, another American EV manufacturer, has entered the performance arena with the Sapphire variant of its elegant Air sedan.
The standard Lucid Air is already a quick vehicle, with 430bhp enabling a 0-62mph time of under five seconds. However, the Air Sapphire operates in a different performance echelon altogether. Like the Model S Plaid, the Air Sapphire employs a tri-motor system, but in this case, it produces an even greater 1,217bhp. This translates to a 0-62mph time of just 1.95 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. To manage this immense performance, the Air Sapphire also features track-tuned suspension, a unique aerodynamic package, and carbon ceramic brakes for superior stopping power. Despite its focus on performance, Lucid claims the Air Sapphire still achieves over 420 miles of range and an efficiency of 3.6 miles per kWh, although these figures would likely decrease under frequent high-speed driving.
3. Pininfarina Battista
Power: 1,873bhp
0-62mph: 1.86 seconds
Top speed: 217mph
Pininfarina, renowned as the design house behind iconic cars like the Ferrari Testarossa and Alfa Romeo Spyder, has ventured into manufacturing its own models with the Battista. This marks a significant step for the legendary design firm.
The Battista is positioned as a hyper-grand tourer that emphasizes both stunning aesthetics and extreme performance. For its powertrain, Pininfarina partnered with Rimac, the EV technology specialist. Beneath its striking exterior, the Battista shares the same core hardware as the Rimac Nevera (featured next on this list). This translates to a quad-motor system producing an astonishing 1,873bhp, enabling a 0-62mph time of 1.86 seconds and a top speed of 217mph. Despite its hypercar performance, the Battista, with its substantial 120kWh battery, is claimed to offer a range of 300 miles under careful driving conditions. With a price tag exceeding £2 million, the Battista is an exclusive and highly desirable electric hypercar.
2. Rimac Nevera
Power: 1,888bhp
0-62mph: 1.81 seconds
Top speed: 258mph
The Rimac Nevera pushes the boundaries of electric vehicle performance to almost unbelievable levels. With a price tag exceeding £2 million and a limited production run of just 150 units, the Nevera is an ultra-exclusive hypercar.
Its performance figures are staggering. The Nevera boasts a total output of 1,888bhp, making it one of the most powerful cars in the world, regardless of powertrain type. It is also recognized as the fastest accelerating production car globally, achieving 0-62mph in a mere 1.81 seconds.
Adding to its list of superlatives, the Rimac Nevera also holds the title of the world’s fastest car in reverse. In a remarkable feat at the Automotive Testing Papenburg Facility in Germany, the Nevera reached a reverse speed of 171.34mph (275.74 km/h), shattering the previous Guinness World Record of 102.58mph.
Furthermore, the Nevera achieves the highest top speed of any road-legal EV, reaching a V-max of 258mph. This places it among the elite group of the 10 fastest production cars on Earth, alongside marques like McLaren, Koenigsegg, and Bugatti. This remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering Rimac’s relatively small size and recent emergence onto the global automotive stage.
1. Aspark Owl
Power: 1,953bhp
0-62mph: 1.78 seconds
Top speed: 256mph
Japan, traditionally known for mass-market vehicles, is also home to automotive icons like the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra. The Aspark Owl demonstrates Japan’s capability in the extreme EV performance domain.
The Aspark Owl, with its distinctive name and futuristic styling, delivers mind-bending performance. This two-door, two-seater hypercar is built on a bespoke four-motor platform powered by a 64kWh battery. It is the most powerful car on this list, producing an astonishing 1,953bhp. The Owl has set a record-breaking 0-62mph time of 1.78 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating production car currently verified. According to Matthew Engelage of Chin Mounts, this acceleration is “just over a half second faster than the fastest motorcycle on earth, the Y2K MTT 420RR.”
An evolved version of the Owl, named the Owl SP600, has also achieved a record top speed for an EV at 272mph. However, as the SP600 is not road-legal, the Rimac Nevera retains the title of the fastest production EV in terms of top speed, for now.
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