Fastest electric cars 2024

Electric cars might not make V8 noises, but they can be blisteringly quick. Here are 10 of the best ‘everyday’ EVs that allow you to plug-in and play.

By Craig Cheetham Jan 2, 2024

There are many things to like about electric cars. They can help reduce running costs thanks to the relative cheapness of electricity compared to fuel, plus they don’t contribute to roadside emissions like petrol and diesel cars.

And while they may sound unappealing to a petrolhead, the reality is they’re also among the fastest and most entertaining cars on the road today, with the instant torque of their electric motors making them lightning quick off-the-line.

As electric motors are able to deliver all that torque – or pulling power – from a standstill, they are seriously speedy when you put your foot down. Line up at a set of traffic lights and before you know it 30mph or even 60mph has breezed by in near-silence.

As a result, there is a whole plethora of electric sports cars, supercars and hypercars appearing on the market. But you don’t need one of those to make a quick getaway. Here are 10 electric cars with sensational acceleration that you can still use every day.

Need some inspiration? See all BuyaCar guides

Tesla Model S

Our pick: Tesla Model S Plaid
0-62mph: 1.99 seconds
Read our Tesla reviews

The original Tesla Model S was the brand’s first luxury model and has been around for a while now, having redefined expectations of electric cars thanks to a realistic range of over 400 miles and its own supercharger network.

In bizarrely named ‘Ludicrous Mode’, the Tesla Model S is also astonishingly quick, with its 0-60mph time of 1.99 seconds making it faster off the mark than the majority of supercars

Like all Teslas, the Tesla Model S doesn’t come cheap and for the price, the build quality could be better. But there’s no denying that it’s an incredible thing to drive, as well as being an exceptionally practical car if you need it to be. The Tesla Model S is the fastest electric car that you can buy right now.

Tesla Model X

Our pick: Tesla Model X Plaid
0-62mph: 2.5 seconds
Read our full Tesla Model X review

In pricing terms, the Tesla Model X is the flagship of the US company’s range – a coupé-styled seven-seater SUV, with unique Falcon Wing doors. These open upwards to give greater access to the passenger compartment, and are actually a lot more practical than the outrageous gimmick they appear to be at first.

The Tesla Model X is based on the same fundamental infrastructure as the Tesla Model S, with a 789PS power output in its highest specification, meaning it will sprint from 0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds. That’s marginally slower than the Tesla Model S as a result of its beefier bodywork. 

Currently you can only get a new Tesla Model X in left hand drive, as Tesla focusses on the Model 3 and Model Y for the UK. The Tesla Model X is, however, still a great choice and you can find right hand drive models on the used market.

Porsche Taycan

Our pick: Porsche Taycan Turbo S
0-62mph: 2.8 seconds
Read our Porsche reviews

Seriously fast, ultra-luxurious and brimming with prestige, the Porsche Taycan sits between the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Porsche Panamera in size. It's also Porsche's first fully electric car, the flagship of which will go from 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds.

There are two different battery options – a smaller 79kWh Performance Battery model whose light weight optimises the car’s acceleration, or a larger 93kWh battery offering greater range. 

The flagship Porsche Taycan Turbo S model claims a power output of 772PS, although this does result in a reduced overall range of around 290 miles, where less potent versions will go 115 miles further on a charge.

Tesla Model 3

Our pick: Tesla Model 3 Performance
0-62mph: 3.1 seconds
Read our Tesla reviews

The cheapest Tesla model is in a world of its own – by far and away the fastest, most technologically advanced electric car on sale at a sub-£50k entry price, with free over-the-air updates.

The flagship Tesla Model 3’s 0-60mph time of 3.1 seconds is supercar fast – while a range of more than 300 miles between charges should be enough for most. The interior takes minimalism to new heights - everything is controlled by the supersized touchscreen media system, while the steering wheel has just two knobs: one to control audio and one to control the ‘Autopilot’ self-driving system.

While we're seeing more rivals to the Tesla Model 3 launched onto the market, it remains very popular, although it is now the Tesla Model Y which is leading the way in sales in the UK.

Audi RS e-tron GT

Our pick: Audi RS e-tron GT Carbon Black
0-62mph: 3.5 seconds
Read our Audi reviews

With top-of-the-range examples costing well over £100,000, the Audi e-tron GT is the German company’s flagship model and a genuine competitor to the likes of the Porsche Panamera and the Tesla Model S.

Where the Audi RS e-tron GT really scores, though, is not only in its futuristic styling, but also in its pure driveability, along with a clinically styled cabin that feels distinctly upmarket.

The performance variant develops an excellent power output of 646PS, with a motor on each axle delivering all-wheel drive and a 0-62mph time comfortably below four seconds.

Kia EV6 GT

Our pick: Kia EV6 GT
0-62mph: 3.5 seconds
Read our full Kia EV6 review

It may be a brand firmly rooted in the mainstream, but Kia is also fairly audacious, as was proven a few years ago with the launch of its Kia Stinger performance saloon.

The Kia EV6 is the South Korean company’s electric equivalent – a strikingly handsome four-door luxury GT with style, performance and quality that’s sufficient to make supposedly more upmarket rivals feel a bit nervous.

Although far from cheap, the Kia EV6 is terrific value for money compared with similar-sized rivals, and is also highly technologically advanced.  It offers 584PS and a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds, with up to 310 miles of range. As an all-rounder, it’s simply one of the best electric cars you can buy today.

Ford Mustang Mach-e GT

Our pick: Ford Mustang Mach-e GT Extended Range
0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
Read our Ford reviews

It was a brave move from Ford to use the iconic and legendary Ford Mustang name on a family-sized five door electric car, but if you’re going to make a bold statement, then you may as well do it in a way that’s going to get noticed – and the Ford Mustang Mach-e certainly got its fair share of column inches when it made its debut at the start of 2021.

Ford’s electric family car has evolved even further, with a range of up to 379 miles on Extended Range models and a performance package to rival a much more expensive Tesla – the flagship Ford Mustang Mach-e GT is one of the fastest electric cars you can buy. 

There’s a choice of rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive platforms and two different batteries – a 70kWh option with a 280-mile range, or a 91.5kWh one that will travel a class-leading distance for its price bracket. The all-wheel-drive GT model covers 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG EQS

Our pick: Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+ Night Edition 
0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
Read our Mercedes reviews

With input from in-house tuning firm AMG, the luxurious mid-size Mercedes EQS was turned into something more spicy – one of the fastest electric cars on the market, in fact. 

The AMG-badged model features twin electric motors, one per axle, with a power output of 335PS enough to propel it from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.

But it’s about a lot more than performance. The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 is both a paragon of refinement and one of immense quality – the feelgood factor is something else. Drive it sensibly and Mercedes claims that you should be able to travel 450 miles between charges as well.

BMW i5

Our pick: BMW i5 xDrive M Performance
0-62mph: 3.9 seconds
Read our BMW reviews

The BMW i5 was one of the most hotly anticipated new electric cars ever when it arrived at the end of 2023, bringing BMW’s trademark range of i-branded electric models into one of its mainstream core markets: that of the BMW 5 Series. Just like the traditional saloon, the BMW i5 is fabulous to drive and wonderfully comfortable, with excellent levels of tech and a beautifully finished cabin. 

There are two main versions – the rear-wheel-drive BMW i5 eDrive40 with 340PS and the four-wheel-drive M60 xDrive M Performance with 601PS. The latter is a phenomenal car capable of 0-62mph in less than four seconds, but which carries a six-figure price tag. 

The official range of 362 miles is a little less than offered by the Tesla Model 3 and German rival the Mercedes EQE, but the minimally smaller range is more than offset by the BMW i5’s immaculate driving dynamics.

Polestar 2

Our pick: Polestar 2 BST 230
0-62mph: 4.0 seconds

With its clinically minimalist design, the sharp and handsome Polestar 2 is a highly desirable vehicle with an image akin to that of a Tesla, but with a higher level of build quality.

In flagship twin-motor format with the optional Performance Pack, the Polestar 2 develops 476PS – enough to get it from 0-60mph in four seconds flat. Yet even in that combination it still promises an overall range of more than 350 miles. It can be fast-charged to 80% capacity in just 28 minutes, too.

But a car this technologically advanced, stylish and handsome does not come cheap, and you’ll need more than £50k if you want a brand new one with the Performance Pack battery set-up. Lesser-powered models can be picked up more cheaply.