Whether or not electric cars actually help the environment is a subject of debate these days. One recent study concluded that a person driving an electric car who used energy produced by a coal-fired power plant is actually doing more damage to the environment than they would if they drove a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.
Some of the more recent developments in the technology used to manufacture electric cars is allowing some manufacturers to build electric cars that are much more powerful than ever before. There are also more models that could be considered luxury vehicles, making electric cars a more tempting choice for people that are accustomed to expensive things. This list of the most expensive electric cars is interesting.
1. Rimac Concept One
It’s obvious from this first entry that many of these ultra-expensive electric automobiles will have names that are not at all familiar to those of us that don’t own our own island or luxury yacht. That may be just as well since this exotic electric hotrod’s price tag could trigger a fatal attack of “sticker shock!” It’s retail price is listed at $980,000, which is only $20,000 shy of a million dollars! For that price, buyers could reasonably expect to get something pretty special in return, and if you consider that this is the fastest electric car in the world, that would probably do the trick for many potential customers. This electric rocket on wheels can reach speeds of up to 310 miles per hour (500 kmh). When fully-charged the Rimac Concept One will take you about 370 miles, and do so very quickly if you desire.
2. Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive
The name Mercedes Benz is certainly not unfamiliar to most people and is recognized worldwide as being synonymous with luxury automobiles. This limited edition sports machine is the electric equivalent to the German auto maker’s gasoline-powered SLS AMG and it carries a very hefty $544,236 price tag. Even though it has four electric motors on board, its top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 kmh) pales in comparison to some of the other electric speed demons on this list.
3. Lightning GT
British auto maker Lightning is now in the electric car business and the Lightning GT is the first all-electric automobile they have offered. The car is expected to retail for somewhere around $300,000 and their current plans involve offering just 20 models for sale, so competition among would-be buyers could be pretty fierce. This electric car is reportedly capable of going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in five seconds and it’s top speed is 130 miles per hour (209 kmh).
4. Eliica
An electric car is a pretty unique concept to begin with but the engineers and designers at Keio University in Tokyo have definitely taken it to a whole new level with the introduction of the Eliica. Their 8-wheeled car looks more like something that might be seen in a 1960s science fiction movie! It’s extremely unique appearance sets it apart from the other sleek-looking models on this list and frankly, this car borders on downright ugly. The designers appear to be betting heavily that wealthy individuals will be willing to part with $225,000 to own one of these bizarre-looking automobiles. Despite it’s clunky appearance, the Eliica can get up and move out when it wants to. It has a top speed of 230 miles per hour which is more than sufficient to leave most stock gasoline-powered cars in the dust. There’s no question that driving down the street in one of these oddly retro-futuristic automobiles will turn a lot of heads.
5. Audi R8 e-tron
This is probably not the electric car the buyer with a serious need for speed will be interested in. It’s the slowest car on the list with a top speed of 125 miles per hour (200 kmh) and it can go from a standstill to 62 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds. The Audi R8 e-tron is powered by four electric motors that each output 140 kW of power. Audi decided to produce only a small number of these automobiles that are priced in the $150,000 vicinity. This electric sports car was definitely designed to look more like a racing car than most of the other entries on this list.
6. Tesla Roadster Model S
Unlike the Rimac or Eliica, the Tesla brand is likely to be familiar to a lot more people even if they don’t have any plans to by an electric car. It’s only a select few, however, that will have any serious intention of getting a Roadster Model S of their own since they are priced at $119,720 for the top-of-the-line model. Even so, it is a heck of a lot less than you would have to pay for a Rimac Concept One. The Tesla won’t get you to your destination as fast as the Rimac, in fact its top speed of 130 miles per hour (209 kmh) is less than half that of the Concept One. Still, driving a Tesla is likely to impress your friends, and by most accounts, they are pretty cool cars.