Top 10 fastest electric cars on sale/coming in 2023: From Taycan to Nevera

Electric cars these days come in all shapes and sizes, with models such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV costing under just USD 26,500 – rising to over USD 3 million for the rarefied hypercar variety. While most people are well aware of the performance advantages that come along with a modern-day EV, not all would be aware of just how insanely fast some of these cars truly are. That’s why we have compiled a list of the top 10 fastest electric cars on sale or coming in 2023. So, let’s get started.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S – (USD 187,400)

Placed at the top of the Porsche Taycan line-up, the Turbo S is quite expensive but an absolute hoot to drive. Equipped with a 93.4 kWh battery that powers two AC Permanent Synchronous Motors via a 2-speed gearbox placed on the rear axle, drivers of this four-door luxury sedan have 616 hp (750 hp in a boost mode) and 774 lb-ft. of torque at their disposal; not to mention, impeccable driving dynamics as well.

With the assistance of Launch Control, full-time all-wheel drive, and a curb weight of only 5,101 pounds, 0-60 mph comes up in 2.6 seconds, whilst top speed is 161 mph. The Taycan Turbo S has an EPA-rated driving range of 222 miles. Charging the battery from 0-100% using a 9.6 kW AC charger will take 10.5 hours, while a 270 kW CCS DC fast-charging station will top up the battery from 5-80% in a matter of just 22.5 minutes.

Name	Porsche Taycan Turbo S
0-60 MPH	2.6 seconds
Top Speed	161 mph

Tesla Model 3 Performance – (USD 53,990)

The Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable car in the U.S., starting from USD 53,990 for the decently quick but entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive variant. On the other hand, the Model 3 Performance is for buyers who do not want to compromise on the peak performance that this 5-seat compact sedan is actually capable of delivering. Its punchy Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous motors result in the Model 3 Performance achieving a top speed of 162 mph.

Tesla claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds for the Performance variant, though that’s with one foot or 0.3 meters of rollout subtracted from the overall calculation. Even measuring acceleration using the conventional method, we reckon a 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph from a standstill is very much on the cards for the Tesla Model 3 Performance. The EPA-est. range on a full charge is 315 miles. The Model 3 Performance can accept charging at up to 11.5 kW (AC)/250 kW (DC).

Name	Tesla Model 3 Performance
0-60 MPH	3.1 seconds*
Top Speed	162 mph

*One-foot rollout subtracted

Tesla Model X Plaid – (USD 119,990)

While its unconventional shape and the lofty price tag may not be to everyone’s liking, the performance of the Tesla Model X Plaid will certainly leave most people grinning uncontrollably. Featuring three electric motors that together develop an impressive 1,020 hp and give it an AWD layout, this all-electric SUV takes just 2.5 seconds for a 0-60 mph sprint. As with most other Teslas, that acceleration figure is with the first foot of rollout subtracted.

However, a top speed of 163 mph is nothing to snicker at, especially considering that the Model X Plaid can seat up to 6 occupants, or haul as much as 92.3 cu. ft. worth of cargo, and has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Its estimated EPA-est. driving range is 333 miles. As with the Model 3, the maximum charging rate the Model X supports is 11.5 kW (AC)/250 kW.

Name	Tesla Model X Plaid
0-60 MPH	2.5 seconds*
Top Speed	163 mph

*One-foot rollout subtracted

Tesla Model S Plaid – (USD 114,990)

Upping the ante on the already-ludicrous Model S and its dual-motor setup is the incredibly frantic performance delivered by the Model S Plaid and its tri-motor arrangement. With the three motors producing 1,020 hp and powering wheels on both axles, this surprisingly-stylish family sedan has a top speed of 200 mph (with paid hardware upgrades). Tesla also claims a 0-60 mph time of just 1.99 seconds, but that doesn’t take into account the subtracted first foot of rollout.

The Model S Plaid has an EPA-est. range of 396 miles. A Tesla Supercharger can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes, thanks to a high maximum DC charging rate of 250 kW. The onboard charger can accept alternating current at up to 11.5 kW.

Name	Tesla Model S Plaid
0-60 MPH	1.99 seconds*
Top Speed	200 mph

*One-foot rollout subtracted

Lucid Air Sapphire – (USD 249,000)

While Lucid Motors was founded in 2007, its current CEO & CTO, Peter Rawlinson, used to be the Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla and Chief Engineer of the Model S. A quick look at the Lucid Air Sapphire’s specs sheet, which is slated for launch in H1 2023, Rawlinson’s passion for high-performance electric cars becomes quite apparent. Sporting three motors, two at the back and one at the front, it’s a 1,200+ hp monster underneath that graceful exterior. The proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you will.

Employing all-wheel drive in tandem with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, the Lucid Air Sapphire boasts a top speed of over 200 mph, with a sub-2-second 0-60 mph sprint time leaving little room for any other thought to cross the driver’s mind. We reckon it’ll beat the Tesla Model S Plaid with an EPA-est. range of well over 400 miles, too. Even the charging rates will likely be higher – 19.2 kW (AC)/300 kW. For those of you calling the Tesla Model S Plaid a pure devil, the Lucid Air Sapphire is the devil’s nightmare.

Name	Lucid Air Sapphire
0-60 MPH	<2.0 seconds
Top Speed	200+ mph

Lotus Evija – (GBP 1.7 million/USD 2.1 million)

With only 130 examples planned for production, the Lotus Evija will be a rare sight. Built as an electric hypercar, Lotus claims the Evija is the world’s lightest production EV hypercar, weighing just 1,887 kg or 4,160 lbs. The Evija is fitted with four independent electric motors that put out a colossal 1,500 kW (2,010 hp) and 1,704 Nm (1,257 lb.-ft.) of twisting force, with an ‘electronically-limited’ top speed of – get this – 217 mph!

The Lotus Evija should be able to tackle the run from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in less than 3 seconds, whilst its maximum range is supposedly 250 miles or 402 km (WLTP combined cycle). To ensure drivers don’t lose control while driving aggressively around a track, Lotus has equipped the Evija with an F1-style Drag Reduction System (DRS) along with active aerodynamics employed throughout the bodywork.

The Evija has a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that will be sourced from Hyperbat, a joint venture between Williams Advanced Engineering and Unipart Manufacturing Group, with production taking place at the latter’s production site in Coventry, UK. Lotus Cars expects it to deliver a WLTP range of 250 miles. The EPA-est. range could be somewhere between 175 and 200 miles.

Name	Lotus Evija
0-60 MPH	<3.0 seconds
Top Speed	217 mph

Pininfarina Battista – (EUR 2.2 million/USD 2.4 million)

The Pininfarina Battista is one of the world’s most beautiful hypercars, and it’s fully electric. Automobili Pininfarina developed the Battista using the platform and core components of Rimac’s Nevera, which we’ll get to shortly. The company has named the “world’s first fully-electric luxury hypercar” after Battista “Pinin” Farina, its parent firm Pininfarina’s late founder.

Hand-made in Cambiano, Italy, the Pininfarina Battista sports four motors – one at each wheel – producing 1,400 kW (1,877 hp) and 2,340 Nm (1,726 lb.-ft.) of torque. A 120 kWh battery pack provides power to the quad-motor powertrain and delivers an EPA-est. range of 300 miles. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph seconds takes just 1.79 seconds, and if you keep the accelerator pedal floored further, 120 mph comes at just 4.49 seconds. The top speed of this Italian exotic, which fulfills Farina’s dream of bringing solely-Pininfarina-branded cars on the road, is 350 km/h (217 mph).

Name	Pininfarina Battista
0-60 MPH	1.79 seconds
Top Speed	350 km/h (217 mph)

Aspark Owl – (EUR 2.0 million/USD 3.1 million)

An eye-watering price tag combined with extremely-limited production (50 cars worldwide), means the Aspark Owl is even rarer than the Lotus Evija. It sports four electric motors that generate 1,480 kW (1,984 hp) and 2,000 Nm (1,475 lb.-ft.) – leading to a top speed of 249 mph.

Meanwhile, the dash to 60 mph can be accomplished in a mere but brutal 1.69 seconds! A 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack gives the electric hypercar an NEDC range of 450 km (280 miles). Interestingly, the Owl stands just 99 centimeters (38.9 inches) tall.

Name	Aspark Owl
0-60 MPH	1.69 seconds
Top Speed	249 mph

New Tesla Roadster – (USD 200,000-250,000 est.)

As the sleekest and most-anticipated model in its history, the next-gen Tesla Roadster takes the penultimate position on our list, with an estimated top speed in excess of 250 mph! The American company claims that the Roadster will not only be capable of seating four occupants but that it will also boast a maximum range of 620 miles (presumably EPA-est.).

The next-gen Tesla Roadster will likely come with an all-wheel-drive drivetrain layout and two or three electric motors depending on the configuration. Meanwhile, the two-door sports car is estimated to go from 0-60 mph in only 1.9 seconds. Of course, this being Tesla, we predict that that number doesn’t include the first foot of rollout.

Name	Tesla Roadster
0-60 MPH	1.90 seconds*
Top Speed	250+ mph

*One-foot rollout subtracted

Rimac Nevera – (EUR 2 million/USD 2.2 million)

Taking the top spot on our list is the Rimac Nevera from Croatia. It has four electric motors – one on each wheel – that produce a total of 1,400 kW (1,877 hp) and 2,360 Nm (1,741 lb.-ft.) of torque. This means that the Nevera can scramble to 60 mph in just 1.85 seconds, while being able to reach a top speed of 258 mph, making it the fastest electric car in the world!

The four motors get their juice from a 120 kWh battery pack, which delivers an EPA-est. range of 287.28 miles. Customers can charge the battery pack using a 22 kW AC charger or a 500 kW DC charger. When using the latter, which we know is currently rare, a 0-80% charging session takes just 19 minutes.

Name	Rimac Nevera
0-60 MPH	1.85 seconds
Top Speed	258 mph

While the Nevera is extremely fast, it will not be long before a few chosen ones join or even beat it at its own game. Until then, well done, Rimac and Croatia!

Featured Image Source: Automobili Pininfarina