Revealed: The Fastest Electric Cars In The World
12th September 2024
A shift to electric vehicles brings with it no shortage of compromise on behalf of sceptical, old-school drivers. Overcoming long-standing concerns – many of them legitimate – linked to range, charging points and cost is one thing. Giving up speed is quite another.
Thankfully there is no real evidence to suggest EVs are slower than gas powered vehicles. Quite the opposite in fact. Indeed, newer models are extremely pacey, instant torque from electric motors comfortably placing them among the fastest production vehicles on the market.
While initial take-up of has proven somewhat slow, top speeds are anything but.
To prove the point, we’ve highlighted the fastest EVs either in production or destined for it. Strap yourselves in…
Rimac Nevara
At the time of writing the Rimac Nevara ‘officially’ holds the title of fastest EV in the world. A hypercar developed from their own 2018 C_Two concept, it boasts a top speed of 258mph. Blink and you really will miss it, with 0-60mph achieved in a blistering 1.74 seconds.
The Croatian automakers received a surge in publicity when The Grand Tour’s Richard Hammond famously crashed a Rimac in series two. Rather than denting their reputation popularity grew.
Packing 1,914bhp the Rimac is a lot to handle. It is, however, lesser spotted, with just 150 planned. That might explain the price tag, an eye-watering £1.68m.
Aspark Owl
Note the use of the word ‘officially’ above. That’s included because although the Rimac Nevara still technically reigns supreme, it has been ‘unofficially’ dethroned when it comes to speed records.
As recently as June, the Aspark Owl clocked 272.6mph on a testing circuit in Germany.
The maiden Japanese full-electric hypercar, this model first emerged back in 2017, only to take a hiatus. Now it’s roared back into the motoring spotlight, its four permanent magnet synchronous motors mustering horsepower of some 1,984.
Built upon a deceptively light carbon fibre chassis weighing just 265.5lbs, it was developed by Manifattura Automobil Torino – the brains behind the actual Aspark.
Professional racer Mars Basseng sent the speedometer into near meltdown when tasked with scorching the Nevara record at the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility.
Though Guiness weren’t on-hand to formally verify the attempt, video footage exists and proves this was no brash claim.
While not exactly extinct but this particular Owl is a rare breed, with just 50 reaching production. They’ll set you back a cool £2.15m.
Tesla Roadster 2.0
The Tesla Roadster 2.0 is long overdue. In fact, the concept was unveiled as far back as 2017. Seven years on, motorheads and ‘Muskies’ alike are left wondering if it will ever see the light of day.
The original Roadster became the flagship model of the visionary brand and the first to don the Tesla emblem.
Its successor is expected to make 7,376 pound-feet of torque at the wheels and come with the ability to install what’s called a SpaceX option… adding ten rocket thrusters around the car. As you do.
When installed these ‘optional extras’ are said to help drivers achieve 60mph in 1.1 seconds. It will surely have no equal in that particular test.
The expected range is 620 miles and the all-important top speed is said to be somewhere north of 250mph. Not one to under promise, Musk has guaranteed the fastest production car ever made. Perhaps spooked by the performance of Rimac Nevara and Aspark Owl respectively, he’s certainly biding his time.
Pininfarina Battista
The Pininfarina Battista was manufactured by luxury German automakers Automobil Pinnfaina.
It garnered huge attention in February 2023 when setting a new record for a production car in a quarter mile drag race. Achieved at the Natax facility in India, a time of 8.55 seconds beat the Nevara (who else?) by 0.003 seconds.
Admired for its sleek design, in-keeping with the brand, it possesses four electric motors delivering 1,900bhp. A triumph of engineering, it’s received admiring glances for an advanced-controlled suspension system that ensures the car stays glued to the road and drivers maintain control despite lightening quick speeds.
310 miles of range are produced courtesy of a 120kWh battery-pack.
An initial launch speed of 217mph was proudly celebrated but this was bettered when Renuka Kirpalani pushed it to a 222mph limit, becoming the fastest female Indian driver in history in the process.
Estrema Fulminea
When Italian manufacturers Automobil Estrema announced plans for an all-electric hypercar in January 2023, they boldly claimed theirs would be the first in the world to encompass a hybrid battery pack using both solid state cells and ultra capacitors. This would power four electric motors, doing justice to the English translation of their name – extreme.
Their Chief Operating Officer stated at the time that he expected the vehicle to reach speeds of around 217mph. Given the company was only founded in 2020, that would represent a remarkable feat.
The exact spec is still unknown but this potentially game-changing model is expected to pack 2,040 horsepower and be able to reach 200mph in less than ten seconds. Air intakes under the hood and behind the rear will work in conjunction to create downforce for the front axle. Those placed on the side will ensure hot air can be released during braking.
Just 60 are planned for production up until 2026. Don’t expect much change out of £1.8m.
It’s hard to believe but electric vehicles were once compared to milk floats, such was public opinion on their performance. In 2024 we’d dare any milkman to complete their rounds in one of the above without completely shattering their stock.
EVs - much like electrification generally - are starting to gather pace.