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10 supercharged electric cars

Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by an electric motor instead of a gas engine. They use energy stored in rechargeable batteries, much like a golf cart. Each year, more EVs go into production, and many experts consider EV technology to be the future of the automotive industry.

Take a look at the coolest, fastest and greenest electric vehicles around.

QUIMERA ALL ELECTRIC GT

The Quimera is the world’s first all-electric performance vehicle, topping out at 187 miles per hour. The lightweight, carbon-fiber EV speeds from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3. seconds, thanks to a 700-horsepower electric motor. With its sleek supercar build and supercharged performance, the Quimera rivals some of the fastest conventional competition cars.

GM EN-V

The EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) makes commuting as simple as riding a bike. The tiny two-person EN-V reaches a top speed of 25 mph and provides a limited range of 25 miles before recharging is required. “Networked” refers to the car’s sensors, cameras, GPS technology and ability to communicate with other cars and park itself.

NISSAN LEAF

The Leaf is the world’s top-selling EV. Starting at around $30,000, the economical Leaf is also tech-heavy. You can use your smartphone to control many of the Leaf’s settings, including air conditioning. It also offers a solar-panel spoiler, adding much-needed juice to the batteries. Even more important, the Leaf is the safest EV on the road, earning a five-star car-safety rating.

RENAULT FLUENCE Z.E.

You won’t see the Z.E. zipping around American roads yet, but it’s already making a splash in Europe. Thanks to a luxurious design and lengthy 115-mile range, Z.E.s are being used as taxis in London, England. The Z.E. is also the first electric car that uses a swappable battery, enabling the driver to swap a depleted battery with a fully charged one at battery-switching stations.

TESLA MODEL S

The speedy, sporty sedan offers the power and agility of a sports car and the no-emission efficiency of a true “green” machine. The Model S accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and it seats seven people. Charge the battery in any standard electrical outlet and get a range of 160 to 300 miles, depending on your battery package.

HONDA FIT EV

The gas-powered Honda Fit, with its quirky exterior and roomy interior, has always been a popular ride. Beginning in 2013, Honda will offer an all-electric version. The Fit EV retains the same fan-favorite seating and stowage, but comes with a rating of 118 miles-per-gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe) — the highest among all EVs.

BMW i3

We are still a year away from seeing the i3 in dealerships, but its ultra-green features are already well known. The i3 is BMW’s first zero-emissions vehicle, with a futuristic carbon-fiber exterior and an interior that utilizes naturally grown materials. To top it all, BMW says the i3 is 100 percent recyclable — including batteries.

WHEEGO LIFE

This two-seater is among the smallest and simplest EVs, but what it lacks in size and frills, it makes up for in practicality and efficiency. Ranging 100 miles when fully charged and topping out at 65 mph, the tiny ride is priced at $32,995.

FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC

The Focus Electric marries on-road performance and technology, even offering a smartphone app interface that monitors the car’s performance. The cabin’s comprehensive instrument panel displays a ton of info, even rewarding the driver for efficiency with congratulatory graphics. Drivers can transmit the data to the Internet and social media outlets, bragging to other Focus drivers.

CHEVY VOLT

While it’s not technically an all-electric vehicle, using a small gas engine for extended trips, the Volt was one of the first electric cars on the scene. The Volt’s electric motor has a small 35-mile range, but the total range with a full tank of gasoline is a whopping 407 miles. Of all the electric cars being produced, the Volt is the most accessible and popular.

27 Comments on 10 supercharged electric cars

  1. i love those car

  2. Great Article! My son and I loved reading it.

    Corrections for the Tesla Model S…
    1) 0-60 is 4.2 seconds (not 5.4… big difference)
    2) Range is 208 mi (60 kWh battery) or 265 mi (85 kWh battery)

  3. Minecraft DUDE // March 7, 2013 at 6:18 pm // Reply

    The Quimera All Electric GT is AWSOME

  4. i want this car!!!!!!!!

  5. The prius is not an EV. For those of you who were wondering.

  6. There is also the toyota rav4. There is an electric version.

  7. Somebody pass me that Ford Focus

  8. I own a 2012 Chevrolet VOLT . . . typically it gets ~45miles electric range. Most people drive less than 40 miles per day, so in theory a VOLT will seldom if ever use any gasoline, but it is nice to have the range extender generator engine to address the issue of “range anxiety” common to all 100% electric vehicles. Btw, the time to fully recharge a VOLT is about 10 hours or less; much less time using an aftermarket 220Vac Charging station. Most of the other EVs mentioned in this article take considerably longer, especially from a 120Vac outlet.

  9. Of the ten cars listed here, only four are on sale: Chevy Volt (since Nov 2010), Nissan Leaf (Nov 2010), Tesla Model S (this year), and Ford Focus Electric (this year). Not listed is the Ford Transit Connect Electric (since 2011) but it isn’t a “car”. BY 2013 we will see even more, including a new Chevy Spark EV and the Ford C-max Energi which is identical to the Volt’s operation but with a lesser electric range.

    Remember your allegiance: Buy American Electric Cars (Chevy, Ford, and Tesla)!

    • @Raymondjram The Chevy Spark EV is going to be made in S. Korea and imported into America. The Nissan Leaf is going to be built in Tennessee (early 2013).

  10. I like the nissan leaf

  11. Gangdam Style Madness // October 16, 2012 at 4:55 pm // Reply

    You also forgot the Honda FCX Clarity. Oh wait that runs on hydrogen fuel cells

  12. I have a Nissan Leaf and it’s AWESOME!

    • The chevy volt is up there,I can agree with that.But not the nissan leaf. I hate the nissan leaf. Too ugly.

  13. steve J. to be // October 12, 2012 at 4:52 pm // Reply

    Solar!Solar!Solar!

  14. I really like the qimera all electric gt

  15. i like the top one but bmw i3 looks cool too.

  16. hayden the hangler // September 27, 2012 at 3:58 pm // Reply

    I like the quimer all electric gt

  17. Several of the choices aren’t yet for sale or are not offered in the U.S. Going to such lengths to round out your ten electric cars, how did you miss the Fisker Karma? (Which of your _other_ choices has solar cells built into the roof to help charge batteries, extend range, and keep the interior cool?)

  18. the networked one looks sweet

  19. the top one is SUPER COOL!!!!

  20. i like the GM EN-V!!!

  21. Chipmunk love // September 25, 2012 at 3:13 pm // Reply

    I LOVE the Wheego!

  22. Famous-dude-101 // September 25, 2012 at 10:36 am // Reply

    I want the top one

  23. awesome!

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