I know that some people who read this article are going to argue that these cars are not the fastest electric cars in the nation, and they’d be correct (That record is held by my friend Edde Borysewicz in the Team Vesco Streamliner).
These may not even be the fastest electric cars that can be bought (considering low production numbers and an unlimited budget). What we have listed here are the best fast electric cars that you can actually buy today, drive to work every day, and eat gas-guzzling Corvettes for lunch on the racetrack on the weekends.
The 10 Best Fast Electric Cars Available Today
1. 2023 Lucid Air Sapphire [Fastest 0-60 EV: 1.89 Seconds]
![Lucid Air Sapphire [Fastest 0-60 EV]](https://evroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Lucid-Air-Sapphire-Fastest-0-60-EV-1024x384.jpeg)
At first glance the unassuming sleek design of the Lucid Air Sapphire wouldn’t suggest that it is a Corvette killer on the track. This is because the four-door resembles a futuristic Lexus more than a sports car.
Nevertheless, the tri-electric motors launch the Sapphire from 0-60 in under 2.0 seconds and propel the blue bullet to a top speed of 205 mph. While the Lucid Air Sapphire’s stats suggest that it and the Tesla Model S Plaid are neck and neck, the actual road tests have proven different results.
With multiple accounts of the Sapphire outperforming the Tesla Plaid in side-by-side 0-60 comparisons, the Lucid Air Sapphire, with 1200 horse-power, beats the Tesla Model S Plaid by a tenth of a second.
Despite the manufacturer’s estimated top speed of 205 mph, actual road tests of the Sapphire and the Plaid have also shown that it’s possible for the Tesla Model S Plain (with the right options) to greatly surpass the Sapphire.
Lucid Air Sapphire
| Price | $249,000 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 1.89 seconds |
| Top Speed | 205 mph |
| Horsepower | 1200 hp |
| Torque | Undisclosed |
| Range | 520 miles |
| Drivetrain | |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
2. 2023 Tesla Model S Plaid [Fastest Top Speed EV: 216 MPH]
If you asked me 10 years ago what the fastest production car of the future would be, I would have said it would be a completely impractical two-seater that is so low to the ground that most adults would need a hand getting out (think Pagani Huayra), not a grocery-getting, golf bag- holding, daily driver.
While the Tesla Model S Plaid comes standard with a top speed that is limited to 163 mph, if you choose to upgrade to the $20,000 Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit, the top speed limit increases to surpass the 200 mph threshold.
In fact, recent track tests have even shown upgraded Model S Plaids exceeding 216 mph (on a closed track of course)!
Tesla Model S Plaid
| Starting Price | $108,490 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 1.99 seconds |
| Top Speed | 216 mph |
| Horsepower | 1,020 hp |
| Torque | 1,050 lb-ft |
| Range | 396 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
3. Genesis Electrified G80 [Fastest Luxury Sedan EV]
![Genesis Electrified G80 [Fastest Luxury Sedan EV]](https://evroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Genesis-Electrified-G80-Fastest-Luxury-Sedan-EV-1024x428.png)
If you love to pretend you’re like Jason Statham, an international assassin who drives a bullet-proof supercar disguised as a luxury sedan, then you’ll fit right in in the Genesis Electrified G80.
This 385 horse-power, all-wheel drive, luxury sedan is the only electric car that allows you to turn off the traction control to smoke all four tires at once. All while sipping a latte and listening to classical music on your 21-speaker Lexicon audio system.
The Electrified G80 has a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. Combined with the top speed of 150 mph, you’ll never have to worry about being too late to defuse the ticking time-bomb… or get to the office on time.
Genesis Electrified G80
| Price | $79,825 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 150 mph |
| Horsepower | 365 hp |
| Torque | 516 lb-ft |
| Range | 282 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
4. 2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
As a die-hard Porsche fan, I honestly don’t know how I feel about the styling of the Porsche Taycan lineup. Maybe I’m just a Porsche traditionalist, but the four-door crossover looks a bit like a stretched Porsche Maycan or a stylish Subaru (ok ok… enough with the criticism).
Nevertheless, the sports car brand is choosing to make its electric car statement with the Taycan Turbo S. The Taycan Turbo S boasts a healthy 0-60 time of 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 161 mph. Just think this can all be done with a dog in the back and a bike rack on top (last time, I promise).
Don’t get me wrong I’d drive one if they were to give it to me… I’d just limo-tint the windows so no one could see me!
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
| Price | $154,750 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 3.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 161 mph |
| Horsepower | 670 hp |
| Torque | 626 lb-ft |
| Range | 275 miles (AMCI) |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
5. 2023 Audi RS eTron GT
The all new eTron GT is Audi’s entry into the all-electric fastest car bracket, and they didn’t do too bad! The 152 top speed is more than acceptable, and the 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds is fast enough to rip the doors off of a Mustang GT.
Personally, I love the styling. I think it is sexy and stylish and it doesn’t look anything like what many of us perceive as a traditional EV. That being said, a nearly $150,000 price tag for an “Audi” seems like a little of a reach. I’ll be shocked if they get a lot of lakers at that price.
Audi RS eTron GT
| Price | $143,900 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 2.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 152 mph |
| Horsepower | 637 hp |
| Torque | 612 lb-ft |
| Range | 232 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
6. 2023 Kia EV6 GT [Fastest Tuner EV]
![2023 KIA EV6 GT [Fastest Tuner EV]](https://evroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-KIA-EV6-GT-Fastest-Tuner-EV-1024x399.png)
This may be my favorite EV on our list. It may not look like much in the photo, but the KIA EV6 GT is eye-catching in person. The sharp edges, ground effects, and sloping windows make it look like it’s going at its 161 mph top speed while standing still.
The best part of this car is the quick adoption by the tuner community that is already offering aftermarket parts to not only to personalize your EV6 but to improve its performance on the track (and sometimes the side streets).
With a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph, you can beat the doors off of the twin-turbo Honda Civic that is challenging you at the quarter-mile drag strip.
Kia EV6 GT
| Price | $61,400 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 161 mph |
| Horsepower | 577 hp |
| Torque | 546 lb-ft |
| Range | 206 Miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
7. 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD [Fast Affordable EV]
![2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD [Fast Affordable EV]](https://evroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Hyundai-IONIQ-5-AWD-Fast-Affordable-EV-1024x411.png)
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 isn’t super fast, but it is relatively affordable in the electric vehicle world. I could have just added Hyundai to the list of manufacturers with nothing to mention, but the IONIQ 5 does have some pretty cool features.
First of all, it has a completely unique design that is reminiscent of the 80s hatchback, and the pixeled accents are eye-catching. The IONIQ 5 also had a completely new interior with two large 12.3” panoramic screens that span nearly the entire dashboard.
And at a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, it is a contender to the Tesla Model Y Long Range’s 0-60 speed of 4.4 seconds. Truth be told I’d probably spring for the Tesla Model Y Performance with the 0-60 speed of 3.2 seconds and get the best of both worlds and still stay under $60,000.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD
| Price | $56,500 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 4.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 115 mph |
| Horsepower | 320 hp |
| Torque | 446 lb-ft |
| Range | 266 Miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
8. 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition
If style and speed are what you’re looking for, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition has it all. I know some of you hate that Ford called it a Mustang. However, if you put that aside and compare it to the other performance electric cars on the list, the Mach-E Performance Edition is good looking, fast, and fully loaded for under $70,000.
The Mach-E also qualifies for a partial tax credit of $3,500 keeping the net sales price under $70,000. That’s still an affordable price in this category.
| Why doesn’t it qualify for a full tax credit? The regulations from the U.S. Treasury Department split the $7,500 federal tax credit in half based on two battery construction requirements. The Mustang Mach-E’s battery meets the first requirement, but at least 40% of its critical minerals would need to be extracted in the U.S. or a fair-trade agreement to qualify for the remaining $3,750, and it doesn’t. The total sales price must also stay under $80,000 to receive the $3,750. |
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition
| Price | $67,940 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 3.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 120 mph |
| Horsepower | 480 hp |
| Torque | 634 lb-ft |
| Range | 270 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | Partial ($3,750) |
9. 2023 Mercedes AMG EQE Sedan
You know it wasn’t going to take long before the Mercedes performance brand AMG was going to get into the EV game. AMG took the new all-electric EQE Sedan and punched it up to get the best performance out of this otherwise pretty unassuming car.
The Mercedes AMG EQE Sedan is 100 horsepower more than the standard Mercedes EQE Sedan and has a 0-60 time that is almost a second faster.
The best part of the EQE is the gorgeous interior that Captain Picard would be best suited to command (yes, this is a Starship Enterprise from the Next Generation reference).
Mercedes AMG EQE Sedan
| Price | $106,900 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Horsepower | 617 hp |
| Torque | 701 lb-ft |
| Range | 225 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
10. 2023 BMW i4 M50 [Overall Editors Choice]
Did we save the best for last, you ask? I think so. BMW’s entry into the performance EV category is the all-new BMW i4 M50. Based on a 4-Series Gran Coupe the all-electric i4 has a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph.
This isn’t bad considering it is just eight-tenths of a second slower than the top-of-the-line BMW M5, and you can buy two BMW i4 M50’s for the price of one fully loaded BMW M5. The i4 M50 also qualifies for the full US Tax Credit of $7,500. Bringing the price down to just over $60,000.
(Keep in mind it is easy to add dealer options to any performance luxury car, and if the final price exceeds $80,000 it will no longer qualify for the tax credit.)
So if you want a high-performance EV that isn’t just another Tesla, then I say the BMW i4 M50 is a clear winner! It’s got the looks and the price. Besides, who doesn’t want to drive a BMW?
BMW i4 M50
| Price | $106,900 |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Horsepower | 617 hp |
| Torque | 701 lb-ft |
| Range | 225 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | |
| Qualifies? | No |
Other Manufacturers
For those who are thinking we missed a few manufacturers. Here is the list of manufacturers that we checked and didn’t find anything that we felt was comparable at this time.
Manufacturers
| Chevrolet | NA |
| Cadillac | NA |
| Nissan | NA |
| Honda | NA |
| Toyota | NA |
| Lexus | NA |
| Mazda | NA |
| Volkswagen | NA |
| Volvo | EX30 (Pre-Order) |
Final Thoughts
The one thing that is entirely clear to me as I write these articles, is that the EV market is growing and changing rapidly. Just 24 months ago you couldn’t touch a high-performance fast electric car for less than $80,000.
Today, electric cars are faster, more reliable, and almost priced better than their gas-powered forefathers. I love the new EV options manufacturers are giving us and I may just have to place my order for the BMW i4 M50 today. The only struggle is picking the color.
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