Tesla Roadster 2.5Forget the Jaguar C-X75 or BMW i8 range-extenders. When it comes to the greenest supercars around, pure-electric drivetrains are a must.
Whether its single motors, dual motors, or one in each wheel, electric cars offer enthusiasts a whole new level of performance, and capabilities never seen before.
Here’s our roundup of the latest production-intended electric supercars, either prototypes or are already on sale, as well as some wild concepts that give us a preview of what’s to come.
Tesla Roadster
Starting off with what’s already in showrooms, you can’t look pass the Tesla Roadster. Admittedly, production of this all-electric roadster is coming to an end, but there’s still plenty on offer and good deals to be had.
In its short production life, the 185 kW (248 horsepower) Tesla Roadster has gone from relative obscurity to a post-child for electric vehicles, thanks in part to its sub-4.0 seconds 0-60 mph time and supercar performance.
Prices start at $109,000 and you can expect a 245 mile driving range on a single charge.
e-Wolf Alpha 1 SRFe-Wolf Alpha 1 SRF
While the major automakers whittle away on their electric car developments, a small German firm by the name of e-Wolf has been building and selling a range of electric vehicles including small scooters, full-size commercial vehicles and high-performance track cars, for several years now.
Its latest creation is the Alpha 1 SRF, a stripped out racer powered by twin electric motors rated at a combined 280 kW (395 horsepower) and capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 144 mph.
Unfortunately, pricing doesn’t come cheap at $309,000 and the driving range is only 186 miles.
Hit the next couple of pages for more electric supercar goodness.
As you may have guessed, it’s still very early days for the electric car revolution. As such, many of the best electric supercars are yet to come, though we do know what some of them will be like.
Here’s a few of the electric supercars that are in the pre-production stage and will be joining us in the very near future.
2009 Audi R8 e-Tron ConceptAudi R8 e-tronAudi was one of the first major automakers to announce plans for an electric car, and a performance one at that.
The automaker from Ingolstadt plans to launch its first electric car in 2013, the R8 e-tron, and has previewed it in concept form several times since 2009.
The Audi R8 e-tron will feature an output of 233 kW (313 horsepower) and will be capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in around 4.5 seconds. Top speed will be limited to just 124 mph, however.
Audi has previously stated that the R8 e-tron will probably be its most expensive model, so don’t expect much change from $250,000.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CellMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell
Fellow German luxury marque Mercedes-Benz is working on a similar high-end electric supercar, this one based on its SLS AMG gullwing.
It is scheduled to go on sale in 2013 also, and as you may have guessed, pricing will likely be north of $300,000.
For that, you’ll get a two-door coupe capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 124 mph–with zero emissions, of course.
Porsche Boxster E electric car prototypePorsche Boxster E
Porsche hasn’t actually confirmed that it will launch an electric version of its Boxster sports car, but the automaker from Stuttgart is currently testing a number of prototypes.
They all develop around 180 kW (241 horsepower) and promise 0-60 mph acceleration in the mid 5.0 seconds bracket.
As mentioned there’s no word on production, but the automaker has admitted that it will eventually launch an electric car, unlike some.
Finally, we have the electric supercars that aren’t yet headed for production, but give us a hint of what’s to come. These are mostly wild prototypes and concepts, though much of their technology is available today to mainstream automakers.
Protoscar Lampo3 electric prototypeProtoscar Lampo3
This strange looking creation is from a Swiss design firm known for wacky electric car concepts.
Styling aside, it’s what’s under the composite body and space frame that counts. The Lampo3 uses two motors in the rear and a single motor up front, and Protoscar claims a combined power output of 418 kW (560 horsepower) and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds.
Top speed is 124 mph, like most electric cars, which should be more than enough for most.
For now, the Lampo3 is just a prototype, but Protoscar is gauging customer interest to determine if a limited production run is feasible.
Quimera AEGT electric supercar prototypeQuimera AEGT
There’s a consortium of businesses and universities in Europe called Quimera, which has dedicated itself to assembling and managing a number of sustainable projects in metropolitan and urban areas.
One of these projects is the All-Electric Grand Tourer (AEGT) electric track car. Propulsion comes from a total of three electric motors that develop a combined output of 522 kW (700 horsepower) and initial tests have shown that the Quimera AEGT can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph.
That may seem impressive for an electric car but no details of its range have been released.
Now that the initial prototype has been built and tested, Quimera is now in the design stages of its second prototype, the Evo-II, which will soon be ready to hit the road.
Formulec EF01 electric race carFormulec EF01
Like the Quimera AEGT, the Formulec EF01 is an all-electric track car capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds and reaching a top speed in excess of 150 mph.
The key technology behind the Formulec EF01 is a special interconnection system that relies on FCI’s hi-performance connectors, which are recognized for their compact size and low weight. In the EF01 these connectors are used for the high current and high voltage (250A/400-800V) DC connection for the battery, junction box and inverter.
The most interesting part for performance fans, however, is that by 2012, Formulec is to establish the first electric single-seater race series. This race series will be called the ‘Formulec World Series’ and it will comprise 10 events per year exclusively for the EF01.
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