Electric vehicles have exploded in popularity over the past decade thanks to attractive benefits like lower environmental impact, savings on fuel costs, and instant torque for zippy acceleration. But for adrenaline junkies looking for the ultimate in speed thrills, the realm of EVs still provides plenty of pulse-pounding options.
When it comes to ranking the fastest EVs available today, top speed serves as the key metric for determining outright performance capabilities. While acceleration times and horsepower also factor in, a vehicle‘s highest attainable velocity offers the best apples-to-apples yardstick for measuring just how exhilarating of a ride these electrical marvels can provide.
From boutique hypercar makers flirting with the 200 mph mark to mass-market brands boasting more accessible yet still potent pace, this list of the 7 fastest production EVs by top speed has a model to satiate every speed demon.
7. Porsche Taycan Turbo S – 161 mph
Kicking off the rankings is a precision performer bearing one of the most venerable names in racing: Porsche. The Taycan electric sedan debuted for model year 2020 as the company‘s first fully electric offering. With four models offered—Taycan, 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S—it is the range-topping Turbo S that resets the bar for the marque‘s trademark blend of opulent interiors and white-knuckle power, this time powered by lightning instead of dino bones.
An 800V system – first seen in the Taycan – enables insanely quick charging, translating to more time driving and less time waiting. The top-flight Turbo S can replenish 200 miles worth of its 201 mile max range in just over 20 minutes.
Filled with 93 kWh of prancing horsepower yielding 750 electric ponies enables a tire blistering 0-60 mph run in just 2.6 seconds. Keep your foot pinned to the ground covering the full quarter mile in 10.7 seconds before finally crossing a top speed of 161 mph. This scintillating performance starts at $187,400, giving it the highest base price amongst the EVs rounding out this list. But for those coveting the Porsche crest for their e-mobiles, it is money well spent.
6. Tesla Model 3 Performance – 162 mph
Hot on the heels of the priciest entrant comes one of the most affordable selections amongst the fastest EVs. The Tesla Model 3 has won myriad awards since its launch in 2018 thanks to its avant-garde styling, impressive performance, and all-electric range upward of 350 miles courtesy of available long-range battery packs.
In Performance trim, the sedan‘s dual motors generate 450 hp enabling a 3.1 second 0-60 dash. Keep your foot pinned to the floor mat and the sleek sedan will continue pulling up to a top speed of 162 mph. With a starting price less than $56,000, the Model 3 Performance delivers sports car pace at a fraction of the cost making it an unrivaled performance value earned via its #6 spot.
5. Tesla Model X Plaid – 163 mph
Tesla strikes again on the list, this time with its three-row heavyweight SUV packing some serious pace courtesy of the iconic “Plaid” powertrain – a Spaceballs reference acknowledging ludicrous speed. The Model X Plaid’s tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup churns out 1,020 hp – enough grunt for the 5,390 lb family hauler to sprint to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Parkinson’s medication not included.
Peak velocity tops out at 163 mph meaning the Model X Plaid could keep pace with all but the most elite supercars. Large 22” performance tires provide loads of grip while adjustable air suspension firms up to keep the SUV as composed as possible. $138,990 buys the hardest accelerating and fastest SUV that can still provide seating for up to seven.
4. Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance – 168 mph
The Lucid Air sedan represents the first model from Silicon Valley-based Lucid Motors. Beneath the slinky sheetmetal and avant-garde cabin lies technology backed by former Tesla engineers. As a premier luxury EV, expectations for the flagship model were exceedingly high, though the production-spec Dream Edition Performance has seemingly met the hype.
Official EPA range estimates come in at a class-leading 470 miles enabled partially by the sedan’s industry-first 900V+ electrical architecture. Dream Edition models also come exclusively with a quad-motor AWD setup outputting a monstrous 1,111 hp and rocketing the sedan to 60 in a physics-defying 2.5 seconds. Peak speed is electronically limited to 168 mph – a still heady figure for a sedan focused on ultimate refinement.
For well-heeled buyers who felt Tesla interiors weren’t posh enough or wanted more rear seat stretch room, the Lucid Air presents an ultra-luxurious solution while still keeping up with the Model S Plaid below triple digit speeds.
3. Tesla Model S Plaid – 200 mph
We come to the third and final Tesla representative leading the ranks as the fastest mass production sedan…in the world. Meet the Model S Plaid – a 1,020 hp beast once again equipped with the proprietary tri-motor Plaid powertrain also found in the Model X from the same company. 60 mph happens in an astonishing 1.99 seconds making it the first production car to officially break the elusive 2-second barrier.
But it’s not just straight-line acceleration that impresses as the Plaid lapped Germany’s vaunted Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 35 seconds, beating the previous record for a production EV by a whopping 20 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 200 mph meaning only exotic supercars can pull away from a Model S Plaid at highway speeds.
Priced at $137,690 putting it just shy of the six-figure vehicles still to come, the innovative Model S Plaid redefines expectations of a mass production EV sedan.
2. Lotus Eivja – 200+ mph (est.)
From a practical people mover to a car that exists purely to elicit speed thrills, the Lotus Eivja hyper EV represents a quantum leap over the British maker’s previous offerings. As a Lotus the two-seater prizes driver engagement over passenger comfort, though that is not to say the interior is devoid of luxury. Premium leather and metal abounds inside the sleek cabin.
But it’s the radical all-electric powertrain that will eagerly toss occupants back into the cushy sport seats upon hard acceleration. Four electric motors – one powering each wheel – conjure an unbelievable 1,973 horsepower with maximum velocity projected above 200 mph. Keeping the Eivja tracking true at speed or through corners is also the task of torque vectoring taking the place of a mechanical limited slip differential.
With production limited to just 150 units every year and stickering for around $2 million, the Lotus Eivja ensures exclusivity amongst wealthy speed aficionados. It may play second fiddle to Rimac’s Nevera hypercar but proves Britain still has the appetite for speed.
1. Rimac Nevera – 258 mph
Croatia is not yet recognized as an established supercar hotbed, but that perception is changing quickly thanks to Rimac Automobili. The boutique automaker first gained notoriety building battery packs and drivetrains for major EV brands wanting to electrify their premier models without significant R&D costs. Now Rimac is a hypercar manufacturer in its own right.
Their new Nevera coupe is as imposing to look at as it is ferocious to pilot. Named after an intense Mediterranean storm, power is predictably frightening – 1,914 hp and 1,741 lb-ft of torque violent enough to rip most chassis apart. Not here though as abundant carbon fiber and by-wire systems keep mass low while providing necessary rigidity given the quad-motor AWD torque tsunami.
Sub two-second 0-60 sprints are child’s play in this mid-engine missile while top speed tops out at a tire-melting 258 mph solidifying it as the fastest production EV that money can buy for those with $2.08 million handy. No other vehicle on this list comes within striking distance.
Keeping Pace with Electric Speed Machines
While EVs may still suffer unfair reputations as golf carts amongst some old school gear heads, the electrified rides above put such foolish notions to bed. Torque measured in the thousands propel each to 60 mph at speeds few humans have experienced. And the peaks numbers above 125 mph relegate any natural rivals to seeing nothing but taillights.
Manufacturers like Rimac, Lotus, Porsche, and Tesla have figured out the electric secret sauce. If kept open, even tiny openings incompute battery costs could drop these lightning fast machines closer to regular buyers. Until then, these electrified engineering showcases will satisfy wealthy elite and their unquenchable thirst for speed.
