Electric Cars Listed By 0-60 MPH Acceleration: Quickest To Slowest

Here is another comparison of electric cars currently available (or soon to be available) in the U.S. – acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h).

We will take a look at which models are the quickest and what are the general results using data from manufacturers or estimated numbers. Please take into account that some values have a 1 ft rollout subtracted (like the Plaid at 1.99 seconds). Unfortunately, there is no consistent dataset, which means we must include uncertainty of 0.1-0.2 seconds.

0-100 km/h (62 mph) times are usually 0.2 seconds higher.

As we can see in the chart below, there is no match for the Tesla Model S Plaid at around 2.1-2.2 seconds in many real-world tests (1.99 seconds according to specs, with rollout subtracted).

The upcoming Tesla Model X Plaid and Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance will be at around 2.5 seconds according to specs.

Tesla Model S Plaid

Rivian R1T

One of the most striking things in the comparison is the 3.0 second acceleration time noted by the Rivian R1T pickup and Rivian R1S SUV. It’s a pickup, quicker than most cars on the road! Not only that, with a price tag of around $60,000 (effectively, after federal tax credit), it’s the least expensive electric vehicle that will do 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds!

That’s amazing as we would expect to see a car as the least expensive to achieve a certain acceleration level. Actually, the Tesla Model 3 should be noticeably less expensive, but it’s not eligible for the tax credit. This is why the Performance (0-60 mph in 3.1 second) is at $58,190.

Overall, there are almost no slow electric cars on the market and most of them are way quicker than average new cars.

Table: Electric car acceleration – September 18, 2021

* some data estimated