World EV Day 2021: Five Standout Electric Vehicles That Electrified The Auto Industry

Electric vehicles have come a long way in the automotive industry from being radical concepts to now becoming the trend for a new revolution amongst carmakers the world over. Recent years have seen EVs pull off some insane feats that have etched themselves into automotive history.  On this year’s World EV Day, we take a look at the best that electric vehicles have to offer in recent times.

Most Powerful

Lotus Evija 

It was a close call, but it's Lotus’ first EV, the Evija hypercar that comes out on top. Combine four electric motors, each pushing 500PS and it amounts to a mind boggling 2000PS and 1700Nm. The 0-100kmph sprint is done in under 3 seconds, 0-300kmph in under 9 seconds, and it tops out at speeds exceeding 320kmph. And power ain’t everything, as the Evijra also boasts some bonkers aerodynamics trickery such as an F1-inspired Drag Reduction System (DRS), two venturi tunnels to aid ground effect downforce, and active aerodynamic surfaces to keep it handy around a racetrack. You can read more about it here. 

Fastest EV

Buckeye Bullet 3

While not technically a production model, it does set the benchmark for being the fastest thing using electric power. The Buckeye Bullet 3, co-developed by Venturi and the Ohio State University, achieved a record top speed of 549.43kmph in 2016. Credit goes to its two electric motors, slippery aero and a drag coefficient of just 0.13cd. It is still a long way from the 1228kmph record by the Thrust SSC, but it is still the fastest electric vehicle in the world.  

Priciest

Aspark Owl

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Another hypercar, but one that’s gone under the radar of sorts, but that’s understandable since Japanese company Aspark is a startup. Unveiled at the 2019 Dubai international Show, this hypercar is powered by four electric motors and claims to hit a top speed of 400kmph and deliver a range of up to 450km. It’s also one of the fastest accelerating EVs on the planet with a claimed 0-96kmph sprint time of just 1.69 seconds.

The Aspark Owl boasts a carbon fibre monocoque, active aero, as well as an aggressively curved body that adds to the futuristic look. It’s also one of the lowest slung cars in the world with a height of just 993mm.  Of course all these niceties come at a whopping USD 3.4 million price tag to make it the most expensive EV in existence, and it's a rare gem with only 50 units being produced.

Longest Range

Tesla Model S Plaid+

While it technically didn’t go into production, there’s no denying that the Tesla Model S in the Plaid+ set the benchmark for EV range. A tri-motor setup helps it deliver over 1100PS. More importantly, Tesla claims it can boast a range of over 837km.  

It’s also the fastest EV around the Laguna Seca Circuit in California, USA, posting a time of 1 minute and 29.9 seconds around the 3.6km circuit. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the reason why the Plaid+ didn’t make production was because it was “just so good!”

World Record Setter

Toyota Mirai FCEV

Yes, you must be wondering why there is a hydrogen-powered car in this list. Well, that’s because it gets energy from hydrogen, thanks to fuel cells which power its electric motors, like an EV. Now, getting to the Toyota Mirai, it has travelled 1003km on a single fill of hydrogen, which is equivalent to a road trip from Mumbai To Bengaluru, and a world record. What’s more impressive about this record run was the Mirai exceeded its claimed figures of 650km in one stretch.  

It is powered by an all-electric motor (that derives its power from 330 fuel cells) generating 174PS. Three hydrogen tanks are present that weigh a combined 24kg. You can read more about its record attempt here. 

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