Top 10 Fastest Electric Cars – Quarter-Mile Monsters

Electric vehicles have completely changed the performance-car game. Instant torque, sophisticated traction control and multiple electric motors have allowed modern EVs to produce acceleration figures that were once reserved for million-dollar hypercars.

From record-breaking electric drag cars to road-legal electric hypercars and performance sedans, these machines demonstrate just how rapidly EV technology is evolving.

We've ranked these 10 of the world's quickest electric vehicles primarily by published 1/4-mile performance, while also including key specifications such as power, acceleration and top speed (as of August 2026).

Important: Quarter-mile times can vary considerably depending on track preparation, tyres, battery state of charge, temperature, rollout measurement and testing conditions. Some vehicles below are purpose-built competition or track cars rather than normal road cars.

Quick Comparison

* Quarter-mile trap speed.
† Rimac's current published figure; an independently verified earlier production-car run was 8.582 seconds.
‡ Porsche's 9.083-second Australian Sydney Dragway run.

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1. Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 – 6.76 Seconds

If we're talking about pure electric quarter-mile performance, Ford's Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 is currently in another league.

This isn't a road-going Mustang. It is a purpose-built electric drag racing machine developed by Ford Racing, and in 2026 it produced an official 6.76-second quarter-mile at 222 mph (357 km/h) at NHRA Charlotte.

The Cobra Jet 2200 produces an extraordinary 2,200 horsepower and is designed specifically to put enormous amounts of electric power onto the drag strip.

Ford says the car is now the quickest and fastest electric car in the quarter mile.

Key specifications:

• Power: 2,200 hp
• Quarter mile: 6.76 seconds
• Trap speed: 222 mph / 357 km/h
• Purpose: Electric drag racing
• Road legal: No

This is essentially an electric dragster wearing Mustang bodywork.

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2. Rimac Nevera R – 7.90 Seconds

The Rimac Nevera R is one of the most extraordinary road-legal electric hypercars ever produced.

With 2,107 hp, four electric motors and advanced all-wheel torque vectoring, the Nevera R can launch from 0–100 km/h in approximately 1.72 seconds.

Rimac's current published specifications list a 7.90-second 402-metre time, while the Nevera R has also established numerous acceleration and top-speed records. It has reached 431.45 km/h (268.2 mph) in record testing.

Key specifications:

• Power: 2,107 hp
• Motors: 4
• Drive: AWD
• 0–100 km/h: 1.72 sec
• 1/4 mile: 7.90 sec
• Top speed: 431 km/h
• Battery: 108 kWh
• Production: 40 vehicles

The Nevera R is arguably the ultimate demonstration of what a road-going EV can achieve.

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3. McMurtry Spéirling – 7.97 Seconds

The tiny British McMurtry Spéirling proves that horsepower isn't everything.

With around 1,000 hp and a remarkably lightweight construction, the Spéirling uses an innovative fan-generated downforce system capable of producing up to 2,000 kg of downforce from zero speed.

An independently measured Spéirling run produced a 7.97-second quarter mile and 0–60 mph in just 1.40 seconds.

The production Spéirling PURE is rated at 1,000 hp, 0–60 mph in 1.55 seconds and a 190-mph top speed.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,000 hp
• 0–60 mph: 1.40 sec record run
• 1/4 mile: 7.97 sec
• Production PURE top speed: 190 mph / 306 km/h
• Downforce: Up to 2,000 kg
• Weight: Under 1,000 kg
• Drive: Rear-wheel drive

It's effectively a miniature electric racing car with a licence-plate-friendly philosophy.

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4. Rimac Nevera – 8.25 Seconds

Before the Nevera R arrived, the original Rimac Nevera was the benchmark for electric acceleration.

Its four electric motors produce 1,914 hp, while Rimac's current specifications list a 402-metre time of 8.25 seconds and a top speed of 412 km/h.

The Nevera previously achieved an independently verified 8.582-second quarter-mile, setting a production-car record at the time.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,914 hp
• Torque: 2,340 Nm
• Motors: 4
• 0–100 km/h: 1.81 sec
• 1/4 mile: 8.25 sec manufacturer figure
• Verified previous run: 8.582 sec
• Top speed: 412 km/h
• Battery: 120 kWh

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5. Pininfarina Battista – 8.55 Seconds

The Automobili Pininfarina Battista combines Italian design with Rimac-derived electric technology.

Its four electric motors produce around 1,900 hp, driving all four wheels. The result is a claimed 0–100 km/h time of just 1.86 seconds.

The Battista has recorded a 8.55-second quarter mile, making it one of the quickest production cars ever tested.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,900 hp
• Torque: 2,340 Nm
• Motors: 4
• Drive: AWD
• 0–100 km/h: 1.86 sec
• 1/4 mile: 8.55 sec
• Top speed: 350 km/h
• Battery: 120 kWh
• Range: Up to 476 km WLTP

Only around 150 examples are planned, making the Battista an exceptionally rare electric hypercar.

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6. Lucid Air Sapphire – 8.95 Seconds

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Lucid Air Sapphire is that it looks like a luxury sedan rather than a traditional hypercar.

Underneath the body is a three-motor AWD system producing 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft of torque.

Lucid quotes a 1.89-second 0–60 mph time, 8.95-second quarter mile at 158 mph, and a 205-mph top speed.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,234 hp
• Motors: 3
• Drive: AWD
• 0–60 mph: 1.89 sec
• 1/4 mile: 8.95 sec @ 158 mph
• Top speed: 205 mph / 330 km/h
• Battery: 118 kWh
• EPA range: 427 miles

It is arguably the ultimate combination of family sedan practicality and supercar acceleration.

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7. Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach – 9.08 Seconds

Porsche has taken the Taycan to another level with the Taycan Turbo GT and lightweight Weissach package.

The Turbo GT produces up to 760 kW / 1,034 PS with launch control, while the Weissach version can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds.

In September 2025, Porsche's Taycan Turbo GT completed the quarter mile at Sydney Dragway in 9.083 seconds at 252.04 km/h, making it one of the quickest production EVs ever recorded in Australia.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,034 PS / 760 kW overboost
• 0–100 km/h: 2.2 sec
• 1/4 mile: 9.083 sec
• Top speed: 305 km/h
• Battery: 105 kWh gross
• Drive: AWD

For Australian EV enthusiasts, this is particularly interesting because the quarter-mile record was achieved at Sydney Dragway.

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8. Tesla Model S Plaid – 9.23 Seconds

The Tesla Model S Plaid brought hypercar-level acceleration to a four-door sedan that can carry a family.

Its tri-motor AWD powertrain produces 1,020 hp, with Tesla quoting 1.99 seconds from 0–60 mph and a 9.23-second quarter mile at 155 mph.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,020 hp
• Motors: 3
• Drive: AWD
• 0–60 mph: 1.99 sec
• 1/4 mile: 9.23 sec @ 155 mph
• Top speed: 200 mph / 322 km/h
• Range: 368 miles EPA

When the Model S Plaid arrived, it completely changed perceptions of what an everyday electric sedan could do.

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9. Xiaomi SU7 Ultra – 9.23 Seconds

One of the biggest surprises of the modern EV performance revolution is the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra.

The Chinese performance sedan uses three electric motors producing 1,548 PS and 1,770 Nm.

It can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 1.98 seconds, reach 200 km/h in around 5.9 seconds and has a published quarter-mile time of approximately 9.23 seconds.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,548 PS
• Torque: 1,770 Nm
• Motors: 3
• Drive: AWD
• 0–100 km/h: 1.98 sec
• 1/4 mile: 9.23 sec
• Top speed: 350 km/h
• Battery: 93.7 kWh

The SU7 Ultra is a perfect example of how quickly Chinese EV manufacturers are entering the high-performance market.

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10. BYD Yangwang U9 – 9.78 Seconds

The BYD Yangwang U9 is another Chinese electric supercar challenging the traditional hypercar establishment.

BYD's high-performance brand Yangwang developed the U9 around its e⁴ four-wheel-drive platform and DiSus-X intelligent body control system.

The U9 can reach 100 km/h in 2.36 seconds, has a top speed of approximately 309 km/h, and BYD reports a 9.78-second 0–400-metre time.

Key specifications:

• Power: 1,306 PS
• Torque: 1,680 Nm
• Drive: AWD
• 0–100 km/h: 2.36 sec
• 1/4 mile: 9.78 sec
• Top speed: 309 km/h
• DC charging: Up to 500 kW

And the U9 story gets even crazier: the newer U9 Xtreme has subsequently recorded a claimed 496.22 km/h, making it one of the most interesting electric hypercar developments to watch.

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What Makes Electric Cars So Fast?

The secret to EV acceleration is instant torque.

A petrol engine needs to build revs, select gears and operate within a relatively narrow power band. Electric motors can deliver enormous torque almost immediately.

Modern performance EVs take this further by using:

Multiple electric motors

Cars such as the Rimac Nevera R use four independent motors. This allows the vehicle to control the torque delivered to each wheel independently.

Advanced torque vectoring

Instead of simply sending power to all four wheels, sophisticated software can constantly adjust torque at each wheel to maximise traction.

Instant power delivery

There is no conventional multi-speed gearbox required for many EVs, eliminating traditional gear changes during acceleration.

Battery technology

High-performance batteries are designed to deliver enormous bursts of electrical power without excessive voltage drop or thermal problems.

Launch control

Modern EVs can precisely manage wheel slip during launch, allowing them to put incredible amounts of torque onto the road without simply spinning the tyres.

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Which Is the Fastest Electric Car?

If we're talking about purpose-built electric drag racing, the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 currently dominates with its official 6.76-second quarter mile.

For road-going electric hypercars, the Rimac Nevera R is an extraordinary benchmark, with a manufacturer-published 7.90-second 402-metre time.

But perhaps the most important takeaway is how quickly the technology is developing. Cars such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire demonstrate that you no longer need a million-dollar hypercar to experience acceleration that was once unimaginable.

The electric performance era is only getting started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest electric car in the world?

In terms of quarter-mile time, the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 is currently the fastest electric vehicle with an official 6.76-second run at 222 mph. However, it is a purpose-built drag racing car and not road legal. The fastest road-legal electric car by quarter-mile time is the Rimac Nevera R at 7.90 seconds.

What is the fastest EV quarter-mile time ever recorded?

The fastest recorded electric vehicle quarter-mile time is 6.76 seconds, set by the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 at NHRA Charlotte in 2026.

Is the Rimac Nevera faster than a Tesla Model S Plaid?

Yes — significantly. The Rimac Nevera R runs the quarter mile in 7.90 seconds compared to the Tesla Model S Plaid's 9.23 seconds. The Nevera R also produces more than double the horsepower (2,107 hp vs 1,020 hp) and has a higher top speed of 431 km/h vs 322 km/h.

Which electric car has the best 0–100 km/h time?

The Rimac Nevera R holds the record for the fastest 0–100 km/h time among road-legal electric vehicles at approximately 1.72 seconds. The McMurtry Spéirling has recorded 0–60 mph in 1.40 seconds but is a track-only vehicle.

What electric cars are available in Australia with the best performance?

For Australian buyers, the most accessible high-performance EVs include the Tesla Model S Plaid, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (which set a quarter-mile record at Sydney Dragway), and the Lucid Air Sapphire. The Rimac Nevera and Pininfarina Battista are available by order but at hypercar price points.