Are Electric SUVs Getting Too Fast?
Even if you despise electric vehicles, there’s no denying that EVs offer serious power and performance. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT has a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3 seconds, and you can buy one for under $70,000. And the Mach-E is not even an outlier with this kind of quickness, models the 2022 Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 also offer nearly instantaneous acceleration. Something that your average Toyota Camry driver is not used to. So, is it possible that electric SUVs are too fast for the average driver?
Are electric cars really faster?
In terms of top speeds, electric SUVs might not be as fast as something like a McLaren or Ferrari, but they are certainly quicker. Due to the efficiency and power delivery of EVs, acceleration happens almost instantly. Basically, once you put your foot on the accelerator, you can achieve the speed you are aiming for. Especially with some of the performance EVs that are on the market.
Horsepower is also a factor in an EVs quickness. Can you believe the new Hummer EV has 1,000 hp? It is wild to imagine that level of power in the hands of the average driver. And while this electric SUV is not a sports car by any means, the power it has enables massive towing numbers and serious torque. It doesn’t hurt that the new Hummer EV looks cool too.
Which electric SUV is the fastest?
So, you want the fastest electric SUV? Well, there are multiple options out there, but the Tesla Model X Plaid should do the trick. It has a top speed of 163 mph and a 0 to 60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds. Essentially, this is a supercar with the utility of an SUV. Unfortunately, this vehicle is not cheap. The base price is $138,990. Plus, some owners have complained about Tesla build quality.
If you don’t want to risk it with a Tesla, Kia is building a performance version of the EV6. Known as the 2023 EV6 GT, its speed tops out at 161 mph, according to Cars.com. It doesn’t have the same acceleration as the Tesla Model X Plaid, but it should be enough to satisfy your need for speed.
Are EVs too fast?
EVs are certainly some of the quickest vehicles on the road, and it can be a bit unnerving when one blasts past you on the highway. The concerns don’t stop there either. Imagine if you are the parent of a teenager who is just starting to learn to drive. Access to the level of power that an EV has might not be ideal.
Another potential issue is what happens when these vehicles are purchased by their third, fourth, or fifth owners. Like all cars, EVs will eventually depreciate. And sometimes, really powerful vehicles fall into the hands of those that don’t necessarily know how to treat them properly. An SUV with north of 500 hp should not be taken lightly.
