The fastest electric car from every major car maker

Gone are the days when electric cars were just seen as glorified milk floats.

Of course, early EVs weren’t built for speed and performance: the first ones to enter the mainstream market majored on range and efficiency to give people a flavour of zero-emission motoring.

Over time, however, the electric car landscape has changed beyond all recognition, with car makers developing powerful and outlandish performance models to take on the ever-growing number of petrol sports cars. 

With this in mind, we’ve gone in search of the fastest electric car from some of the world's most popular brands. These range from hot hatchbacks, right up to aerodynamically honed 2000bhp monsters – and the odd one-off machine that we just had to include. We’re including the top speed, as well as the 0-62mph time.

Abarth 500e

Launched in 2023, the small pocket rocket gave us a flavour of what an electric hot hatchback could be like. 

With a 152bhp front-mounted electric motor, the fun little Abarth can travel from 0-62mph in seven seconds flat, topping out at 96mph. It is fitted with its own sound generator that replicates the sound of an ICE car for a more sporty feel. 

Audi RS e-tron GT Performance

Audi recently unveiled the new RS e-tron GT, with the new model gaining a number of major technical upgrades for greater power and efficiency. 

The new RS e-tron Performance range-topper develops a whopping 912bhp, making it the German brand’s most powerful car yet made. The 0-62mph sprint takes a mere 2.5sec, with the RS limited to 155mph. 

BMW i7 M70 

It might come as a surprise that the firm’s large and luxurious saloon is the fastest electric model in the line-up: the M70 trumps the i4 M50, i5 M60 and iX M60 when it comes to performance. In fact, it’s the brand’s most powerful electric car.

Powered by a 650bhp dual-motor powertrain, the i7 can handle the 0-62mph sprint in 3.7sec and has a top speed of 155mph. 

BYD Yangwang U9

1282bhp, 0-62mph in 2.3sec and a top speed of 192mph, the Yangwang U9 is the last car you might expect to come out of Chinese car giant BYD. 

Indeed, Yangwang’s parent firm is best known for its range of efficient and generally affordable EVs, not outlandish sports coupes. And you’ll be even more surprised to learn that it can bunny hop - yes, bunny hop.

Cupra Born VZ

Based on the Volkswagen ID 3, the Cupra Born has always been the better car of the two, thanks to its sportier suspension, stability control and powertrain. 

Earlier this year the VW Group firm launched an even more spritely version of the Cupra, the VZ, which develops 322bhp and 402lb ft. The 0-62mph sprint takes 5.7sec, making it the quickest car to ride on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. The top speed is up to 124mph. 

Ford Pro Electric Supervan

Is there a vehicle more bonkers than 1973bhp Ford van? We don’t think so. Built to take on the infamous Pikes Peak hillclimb in the US, the quad-motor Supervan has a claimed 0-62mph time of less than 2.0sec, making it faster than most of the hypercars in this list.

Unfortunately you can’t buy a Supervan yourself, but it would have made one hell of a delivery vehicle.

GMC Hummer EV

1000bhp, 0-62mph in 3.3sec, and a kerb weight of 4111kg – you only need to look at the Hummer EV’s technical specification to realise it's a totally bonkers electric car. 

Its vast kerb weight is mainly down to the size of the battery. The Hummer rides on GM’s Ultium platform and is made using two battery packs stacked on top of each other for an overall capacity of 212kWh. 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Powered by a 641bhp dual-motor powertrain and fitted with a suite of driver-focused modes and features, the Ioniq 5 N was nothing short of a triumph in the EV space when it arrived earlier this year. Only the Porsche Taycan can match the Ioniq 5 N for entertainment. 

Its fake gearbox and exhaust note help make it a genuinely fun performance EV. Jaunts from 0-62mph take just 3.4sec, while the top speed is 161mph. 

Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy

The standard Jaguar I-Pace was no slouch, but in a bid to boost appeal, JLR decided to create a one-make racing series for its new EV.

Jaguar Land Rover’s own SVO performance division was the team behind the I-Pace eTrophy, with the electric racer developing 395bhp and 513lb ft of torque for a 4.5sec 0-62mph. The eTrophy topped out at just under 125mph. 

Kia EV6 GT

Kia decided to take its family EV and turn it into a rapid sports SUV. By adding an electric motor to the front wheels, power was boosted to 577bhp, slashing the 0-62mph to 3.5sec – that’s 2.5sec faster than the AWD long range model. 

And don’t assume the EV6 was just given extra performance to make it go faster: Kia added a suite of driving modes – including a drift mode – to make it more fun to drive.

Lotus Evija

Now owned by Chinese EV giant Geely, Lotus is transforming itself into an electric performance brand and kick-started its ambitions with the Eletre SUV last year. 

Lotus’ fastest model yet is the radical Lotus Evija supercar, a 2011bhp missile that can hit 60mph in 2.8sec, topping out at a fearsome 218mph. 

Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore

Primed to take on the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, the Gran Turismo Folgore is the Italian brand’s first electric car and marked the beginning of the brand’s huge electrification push. 

Featuring a tri-motor setup, Maserati claims the Folgore can handle up to 1200bhp, but the car is currently limited to 750bhp because the battery can’t yet deal with the flow rates of such an output. It’s still a blisteringly quick car: the Folgore has a top speed of 202mph, and it will do 0-62mph in a mighty 2.2sec.

Mercedes-AMG EQE 53

With 617bhp and 701 lb ft of torque, the EQE AMG 53 is another super saloon that has been tweaked for a more dynamic driving experience.

Add the Dynamic Plus package and power is upped to 677bhp, with the EQE able to hit 62mph in just 3.2sec. The EQE has a top speed of 137mph. 

Pininfarina Battista

The radical and striking electric hypercar takes automotive design and engineering to the extremes. Using the same powertrain as the Rimac Nevera, the Battista develops 1874bhp, allowing for a blisteringly quick 0-62mph time of just 1.86sec, making it one of the fastest electric cars on sale today. 

Porsche Taycan GT

The first electric Porsche to come out of the Stuttgart-based brand’s lauded GT division, the Taycan GT is a 1093bhp super saloon designed to be the ultimate track day weapon. 

With the Weissach package fitted – which removes the rear seats, rear speakers, floor and boot mats – the Taycan GT can handle the 0-62mph sprint in 2.2sec, making it the fastest Porsche to make production. And it has a top speed of 190mph.

Renault Zoe e-Sport

The Zoe e-Sport was never earmarked for production: instead it was built to showcase the future of electric hot hatchbacks. Producing 465bhp and 472lb ft of torque, the dual-motor Zoe tipped the scales at 1400kg, with Renault claiming a 0-62mph time of just 3.2sec.

In fact, the Reanult could reach its top speed of 130mph in as little as 10sec. 

Rimac Nevera 

Rimac’s rise is nothing short of extraordinary. From developing hypercars in Croatia to a co-owning Bugatti, the firm has gone from strength to strength, and its second bespoke sports car showcased just how innovative Rimac could be.

The Nevera arrived last year as a 1914bhp monster, capable of a 0-62mph time of 1.72sec. And it can go on to 200mph in a scant 10.8sec. 

Rivian R1T/S

The American EV brand is best known for its R1T pick-up and R1S SUV, which are both offered with a range of powertrains.

Rivian recently unveiled the latest versions of its flagship models, with the range-topping Quad-Motor now developing 1010bhp and 1198lb ft of torque for a blistering 0-62mph time of 2.5sec. That’s faster than most electric saloon cars.  Because it’s built for off-roading, the Rivian is limited to 110mph. 

Tesla Model S Plaid

Tesla didn’t hold back on performance when developing its new Plaid model. With 1020bhp and an all-wheel-drive setup, the Plaid can sprint from 0-62mph in a claimed 1.9sec - that’s only 0.2sec slower than the Rimac Nevera hyper EV. The Plaid has a top speed of 160mph. 

Volkswagen ID R

Volkswagen produces a range of warmed-up GTX-badged electric cars, but none of them are as wild as the ID R racing car. It holds a number of EV lap records: it’s the fastest electric car to lap the storied Nurburgring race circuit, and the fastest to climb Pikes Peak. 

Powered by a 670bhp dual motor powertrain and weighing just over 1000kg, the lightweight racing car can travel from 0-62mph in a superfast 2.2sec and can achieve a top speed of 170mph.