They say you can have too much of a good thing, but we all know speed is an exception. Making cars faster is a fun part of their history and one that helps advance their progression toward more efficiency and dependability. Electric cars are quickly becoming some of the fastest cars in the world, and it’s largely due to their near-instant, massive torque delivery. Let’s take a look at some of the fastest electric cars in the world and the awesome feats they can pull off.
How Do You Judge the Fastest Cars?
There are two classic metrics to measure up which cars are fastest: top speed and the time it takes to go from zero to 60 mph. You might see some more nuanced differences if you compare other acceleration times, like zero to 80 or 60 to 100. There aren’t any strict limits, but 0-60 is the most practical range of speeds that most people will experience, so this factor coupled with top speed makes for a good judge of the fastest cars.
Please be sure to test top speeds or acceleration times in areas appropriate for high speeds, such as drag strips and race tracks, and always follow speed limits on public roads. You don’t want to get a speeding ticket or other incident on your record that will affect the cost of your car insurance. With that said, let’s look at some of the fastest electric cars today.
Tesla Model Y Performance
Tesla divides their models into several trim levels, with Plaid usually being the highest in terms of power, luxury, and price. The latest Model Y does not have a Plaid model yet, but the Performance trim level goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in only 3.5 seconds. It has an estimated range of 303 miles on one charge and an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.
Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+
The AMG line has represented the most capable Mercedes-Benz vehicles in terms of performance, and the EQS is an electric take on the S-Class. The 53 4MATIC+ trim level has all-wheel drive to put its immense power to the ground, 752 horsepower, and 751 lb.-ft. of torque. It can go from zero miles per hour to 60 in 3.4 seconds. Mercedes-Benz equips a dual-electric-motor design on the EQS, and some configurations have an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.
Audi RS e-tron GT
Starting at $142,400, the RS e-tron GT can travel up to an electronically limited 155 miles per hour and go from zero to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. It also benefits from Audi’s famed quattro active all-wheel drive. The electric motor setup in the e-tron GT produces a remarkable 637 horsepower and 612 lb.-ft. of torque and starts with 238 miles of range on recent editions.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
The second Tesla on this list is also the best-selling vehicle in their lineup. The Model 3 has a top speed of 162 miles per hour and an accessible starting MSRP. The Performance model of this Tesla can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.1 seconds. Tesla is one of the highest-reviewed electric car brands by critics and consumers alike, and their Model 3 starts under $50,000 for 2022. It also has a suave, digitally-themed interior with a large touch screen.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche is a longstanding name in luxury sports cars. Their Taycan model is a true sports car, with the Turbo S edition going from zero to 60 miles per hour in only 2.6 seconds. Other models have even more acceleration potential and greater range (199-227 miles), but this model’s powertrain generates 616 horsepower and can propel the vehicle as fast as 161 miles per hour.
Tesla Model X Plaid
Electric vehicles have been getting more and more powerful, but few could have predicted a large, heavy SUV being among the top five fastest automobiles. The Model X is Tesla’s super-SUV, with anywhere from 15 to 37.1 cubic feet of cargo space and side doors that float up instead of open outward. As for speed, the top-level Plaid model rockets from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 163 miles per hour, a speed you’ll only want to test out on a proper race track.
Lucid Air Dream Edition
Lucid, an electric car company founded partly by former Tesla employees, has released its first vehicle, the four-door Air sports car. Available in trim levels like the Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, and Grand Touring Performance, it’s the top-level Dream Edition that has a top speed of 169 miles per hour. It clocks in a zero-to-60-mph time of 2.5 seconds and starts at $160,000. Standard models start at $77,400 and can generate either 480 or 804 horsepower. The highest possible range on some models is an incredible 520 miles.
Tesla Model S Plaid
Finally, the Tesla Model S is a special model with a unique steering yoke in its latest designs. The Plaid trim level has a top speed of 200 miles per hour. It can also go from zero to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, a figure that you have to see to believe. Speed is one thing, but Tesla also provides information about the oil equivalent from the average amount of driving. Despite extreme power output, the Model S only consumes an average equivalent of 0.1 oil barrels per year. The average gasoline car requires the equivalent of 10-15 barrels per year.
Upcoming: 2023 Tesla Roadster
If you’re after one of the fastest electric cars, the ones above will certainly feed your cravings for both speed and performance quality. However, in 2023 Tesla will release the Roadster, a return to one of its first-generation offerings. Although further details are pending, Elon Musk has claimed it will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 1.9 seconds and have a top speed of 250 miles per hour.
Over the following years, electric vehicles will only continue to get faster, more efficient, and longer-ranged. Many people enjoy the switch to electric vehicles for their efficiency and electric car incentives that save them even more money, but being faster than the average gasoline vehicle is a nice bonus.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
