Not so long ago, lists of the top 10 fastest electric cars in the world included low-cost mass-produced vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt, partly due to the fact that there simply wasn’t a large pool of examples to draw from. Today, the number of EVs capable of getting from 0-100 km/h in under three seconds has gone up considerably. In fact, even some newer electric vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz EQE, Audi RS e-tron GT, Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV and Rivian R1T aren’t quick enough to make this list of the top 10 fastest electric cars you can buy in 2024.
Many of the cars listed here are high-priced hypercars, but there are just enough mainstream models to provide some very interesting perspective. Here’s a look at the 10 fastest fully electric cars that money can currently buy, all of which are, were, or will be sold in North America and are therefore (in theory at least) available to Canadians.
The 10 Fastest Electric Cars You Can Buy in 2024
- Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 2.8 Seconds
- Nio EP9: 2.7 seconds
- Faraday Future FF91: 2.4 seconds
- Tesla Model S Plaid: 2.1 Seconds
- Drako GTE: ~ 2 seconds
- Rimac C_Two/Rimac Nevera: 2 seconds
- Tesla Roadster: 1.9 seconds
- Aspark Owl: 1.9 seconds
- Pininfarina Battista: 1.86 seconds
- McMurtry Spéirling: 1.5 seconds
Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 2.8 Seconds
This first true competitor to the Tesla Model S from a mainstream automotive brand has turned some heads since its launch, particularly in its highest-powered iteration. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is officially rated at a 0-100 km/h time of 2.8 seconds with launch control, though some independent tests have seen it complete those runs faster. With a peak rating of 750 hp and a top speed of 260 km/h, the most powerful Taycan is also the most expensive with a starting price tag in Canada of $215,000.
Nio EP9: 2.7 seconds
Although it was built to FIA LMP1 specifications, the Nio EP9 qualifies as a production car since it’s been built for and sold to the public. Its four electric motors, one for each wheel, produce 1,341 hp and get the car from 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. The EP9 also held the Nürburgring production car lap record for a spell with a time of 6 minutes and 45.9 seconds. From new, the EP9 was priced at US$1.48 million.
Faraday Future FF91: 2.4 seconds
California-based EV start-up Faraday Future finally does appear to have a future in store. The Faraday Future FF91 is real and early examples have shipped to customers following years of setbacks and delays. Priced at US$309,000, which works out to roughly $425,000 Canadian, the FF91 (pronounced eff-eff-nine-one) is configured as a crossover with 1,050 hp that sends it from 0 to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds. (An extrapolated estimate puts the 0 to 100 km/h time at roughly 2.4 seconds.) The EPA puts the FF91’s range at 381 miles or just over 600 kilometres, though Canadian testing will likely place this figure slightly lower.
Tesla Model S Plaid: 2.1 Seconds
The highest-ranked mass-production car on this list is the Tesla Model S, which in its dual-motor Plaid configurations is said to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds. With a power output of 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque and a quarter-mile time of 9.23 seconds according to Tesla's website, the Plaid makes the Model S among the fastest production cars ever made. Pricing is currently listed at $124,990 on the Tesla Canada website with deliveries beginning back in late 2021.
Drako GTE: ~ 2 seconds
California-based electric car start-up carmaker Drako has released the GTE, with only 25 units available starting at a cool US$1.3 million each. Its four electric motors produce a total of 1,200 hp and a unbelievable 6,491 lb-ft of torque. The GTE goes from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, while the 0 to 100 km/h time is estimated at just under two seconds with a top speed of 332km/h. Given how much higher the price point is than presumed rivals such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, the Drako GTE certainly qualifies as exclusive.
Rimac C_Two/Rimac Nevera: < 2 seconds
Croatian outfit Rimac appears to be making good on its promises with its second production model, initially called the Rimac C_Two but now called the Nevera. Its power specs are a whopping 1,888 hp and 1,739 lb-ft of torque. With a weight of 1,950 kilograms (4,300 pounds) aided by a carbon fibre construction, 0 to 60 km/h times come out at 1.85 seconds, equating to a 0 to 100 km/h time of just under two seconds and a published quarter-mile run time of 9.1 seconds. The price is in the US$2 million range, and with the brand’s partnership with luxury dealer group Grand Touring Automobiles, it’s available from a point of sale located in Canada.
Tesla Roadster: 1.9 seconds
Although the ongoing hype has been tempered somewhat by delays, deliveries of the second-generation tri-motor Tesla Roadster supercar are now slated for sometime in 2024. Three electric motors, one in the front and two in the rear that combine for all-wheel drive, will send an insane total of nearly 7,400 lb-ft of torque to the wheels for a published 0-100 km/h time of 1.9 seconds. Its estimated range of 1,000 km is also a pretty huge deal. But what’s even more unhinged is claims of a SpaceX package involving rocket thrusters that could reduce that time to 1.1 seconds. We’ll take a wait-and-see approach on that claim.
Aspark Owl: 1.9 seconds
The Aspark Owl is officially on sale after first being revealed as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show and a production version at the Dubai International Motor Show in 2019. This electric supercar produces 1,980 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. It takes 1.72 seconds to get from 0-96km/h (60mph), 1.9 seconds from 0-100 km/h, and 9.74 seconds to get to 299km/h with a top speed of 413 km/h. It can also run for 400 kilometres on a single charge. Priced at US$3.2 million, only 10 units were allocated for North America.
Pininfarina Battista: 1.86 seconds
It’s unsurprising that the Pininfarina Battista boasts similar performance figures to the Rimac Nevera since they share the latter’s chassis and powertrain. With four motors producing a combined output of 1,900 hp and 1,726 lb-ft of torque, the Battista’s 0-100 km/h time of 1.86 seconds is the fastest in the world for a road-legal production car, all while traveling up to 476 kilometres on a single charge. Priced at more than $3 million, 10 units have been earmarked for sale through Pininfarina’s Canadian retail partners.
McMurtry Spéirling: 1.5 seconds
Talk about making a first impression. The McMurtry Spéirling, a single-seat track-only electric hypercar, burst onto the scene by smashing the record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb in 2022. It’s capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.5 seconds thanks to its 1,000 bhp and a weight of just 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). If you’re willing to drop at least £820,000 (that’s $1.4 million Canadian) and jump through import hoops to buy a dedicated track rocket, consider giving McMurtry a call.