World’s Top 10 Fastest Electric Cars
8. Rinspeed iChange: 0-60 mph in 4s
This is another concept car we profiled recently. Debuting at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the Rinspeed iChange has the unique distinction of actually being able to change it’s body shape to suit passengers numbers.
More importantly, it looks pretty badass, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just over four seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph. For more detail: Rinspeed iChange EV Changes Shape To Suit Passenger Numbers
9. Tango: 0-60 mph in 4s
Let me cut you off: I don’t believe it either. How can something that looks like this ever be taken seriously? Commuter Cars, the manufacturer of this vehicle, claims in all seriousness that this is the ‘world’s fastest urban car’.
Statistically speaking–if you take their word for it–this is true: 0-60mph in 4s and a top speed of 120mph. I’m not sure how this thing would bank sharp turns, though the company website said the Nascar roll cage is designed for 200mph crashes.
And yes, they do exist. George Clooney has one. Check out some really low-quality video here.
And check out everything you wanted to know in this 24-minute video:
10. Dodge Circuit EV: 0-60 in under 5s
This may be one of the more controversial cars on the list: the Dodge Circuit EV has been called little more than a re-badged Lotus toy, since it’s actually a retooled Lotus Europa. It’s also been called by our very own Jo Borras a “marketing exercise (at best) and a con (at worst).”
Whether that’s true or not, the prototype has a 268 hp electric that produces 480 lb-ft of torque and a reported top speed fo 120 mph.
The Circuit appeared at the 2009 Detroit auto show and could portend future electric models in Chrysler’s lineup (but don’t quote us on this).
Bonus: How does a High-performance Plug-in Hybrid Compare?
11. Fisker Karma: 0-60 in 5.8s
We wouldn’t feel good about keeping Fisker’s Karma, the highly-anticipated and high-performance plug-in hybrid, off the list. The Karma is really only a different beast in terms of range and recharging, since plug-in hybrids use an onboard generator to recharge their batteries.
So how does it compare? The Karma has two modes to accommodate different driving styles. It will do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds in ‘Sport Mode,’ with a top speed of 125 mph. In the more economical ‘Stealth Mode’ will hit 60mph only after 7.5 seconds and top speed of 95 mph.
That’s it! What did we forget?
Here’s the whole gallery:
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- Shelby SuperCarsAero EV
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- Tesla Roadster
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- Eliica
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- AC Propulsion tzero
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- aero ev
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- Aero EV
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- Hybrid Technologies L1X-75
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- Tango
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- Dodge Circuit
Thank you for featuring White Zombie, but please correct the stats, as it runs 0-60 in 2.95 seconds, and its ‘trap speed’ at the end of the 1/4 mile is 114.08 mph. The car’s ‘top speed’ is in the neighborhood of 130 mph if given more than just 1320 feet to stretch its legs! Since the outrageous price tags are mentioned with some of the other cars shown, the Zombie’s ~$35,000 price (when using expensive lithium cells) should be included as well, to keep things in perspective.
You might want to change this title from ‘World’s 10 Fastest Electric Cars’ to ‘World’s 10 Quickest Electric Cars’, since you specify “All cars are simply ranked by the time it takes them to get from 0-60 mph.” 0-60 is an acceleration parameter, while’Fastest’ refers to top speed, not acceleration. Also, hybrids are not electric cars, so they should be left out of this comparison… unless you do a third name change to ‘World’s 10 Quickest Electric and Hybrid Cars.
-Our thanks to John (the owner/builder of the White Zombie) for taking the time to expand on some of our choices and correct the information about the White Zombie. We’ll be making the changes shortly. — Nick Chambers
Good catch. We’ve covered that one before: http://gas2.org/2008/07/23/bmw-mini-electric-cars-available-in-us-from-summer-2009/
I really don’t understand why these automakers are focusing so much time on these vehicles instead of finding ways to lower prices or lengthen the amount of miles between charges.
It is really too bad that you usually feel that it is necessary to denigrate existing cars rather than just promote “Green” cars on their own merits.
This is not necessary and it is counter productive for many people. The presentations in this issue should be your example for how to present all of these issues. The use of performance specifications and comparisons is the correct way to go.
That list is wrong and confusing. most of the models are not even in production and very likely won’t make it there.
Fun article. Honorable mention-the beautiful Tesla Model S. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, seats 5+2 and 57,000 before the 7,000 tax refund. Can’t wait until the range hits 600 and the charge time 6 minutes. A123 apparently has a battery that charges to 95% in 6 min. I wonder what the range is if put in a Model S?
@Author RE Tango: “I’m not sure how this thing would bank sharp turns”
If you read the first page of their website it says that the Tango tips the scales at 2-3,000 pounds i.e., the weight of a “mid-sized Sedan” And the “low CG” means that the bulk of that weight is located 6-12″ off the ground between the 4 tires.
So the size of a Goldwing, the weight of a Camry = it doesn’t need to bank, as the weight is low enough it is much more likely to “slide” off the turns, not go on two wheels. It’s essentially a “sled” of batteries/motor/wheels with a passenger cab on top — the 2-400 pounds of passenger weight is negligible compared to the 2-3,000 pounds, compared to the same 1-300 (rider-plus one) pounds on a motorcycle that has a high CG and low weight (250-600 pounds)
@Allie: Because the Big Car manufacturers still don’t get it ;-p — 80% of Americans travel 50 miles or less a day (50% of us travel 25 miles or less), and judging by the cars I see going to work, a significant number of these miles are single passenger. Current EV ranges are just fine, when you figure half that is to get you to work, the other half back home, and you’ve got a 6-9 hour charge time while you’re at work… I’ve put over 6,000 miles on an EV with a 30-40 mile range per charge.
In general, high-speed electric vehicles are brought out because manufacturers feel the public has the misconception that electric vehicles are slow. In truth, they will blow the socks off gas cars BUT they won’t get you back and forth to work very well. Most in-town commuters will do quite nicely with an Electric Vehicle that gets between 30-50 miles per charge when they’re driven between 30-50 mph — it’s worked for me for the past two years…
The average American male is being forced to give up his insane notion that the length of his penis is related to low ET’s and splashy car bodies and take up the European notion of personality, skill and manners in seduction - not taught in newer American movies but obsessed on in the earlier black and whites. The great republican depression with its hard times and cash shortages combined with the end of the “cheap oil era” will force this enlightenment on us and make us whole again. Cars will no longer be an “extension” of the manliness, but simply a comfortable means for either sex to get from point A to point B, much to the chagrin of the advertisers who recently put female sex into every sales pitch to a mostly male consumer. Times have changed, Expect little pink and mauve electric commuters soon! GM’s downfall - a Double Y ex-marine, possibly raised by his father, a masochistic sicko, for a CEO - not good for sales to the ladies!
@ allie
Most innovations in automobile technology have been paid for by racing and tested on the grueling conditions of the track.
SO! Instead of the government bailing out Chrysler or GM AGAIN AND AGAIN, maybe the hundreds of millions to billions should be given to these companies designing and building electrical vehicles instead! Wouldn’t that make a lot of sense with regard to fulfilling Obama’s other goal of changing energy sources? GM & Chrysler will undoubtedly fail anyway… We’re just kicking the can down the road until later this year…