Fastest Electric Cars of 2011

Since the late 1800’s, gas powered engines have wrought virtually incalculable damage to the global environment from which we may never really recover. The big petrol producers like Shell and BP have bitterly resisted the advancements of technology which could have made a difference to every person on the planet and their children, simply because they wanted to make every possible cent from petrol before it was entirely used up.

Well, that time is finally upon us which means that these tyrannical corporations are being forced to allow car manufacturers to move along with the times, thus the release of the Nissan Leaf.

The Leaf, however, isn’t the only EV (Electric Vehicle) out there, and those speed freaks who resist the move to clean power in the automobile industry, on the grounds that they’re too slow or look kind of silly, have simply not done their research. What most people don’t realise is that EV models produce full torque from the first second of acceleration, meaning that they simply beat out gas powered engines every single time.

Shelby SuperCars Aero EV

Released back in 2008, the car came under fire due to the performance stats Shelby claimed the car would live up to. No one seemed to think it possible but this electric supercar out performed even those predictions. The car has 500 horsepower (373 kW), an electric motor, reaches 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 208 mph. This dream car is also has a charge range of 150 – 200 miles and recharges in 10 minutes, but it carries a staggering price tag of $431,100.

Custom 1972 Electric Datsun

A slap in the face of every small minded, destructive person who felt that their gas guzzling tank shouldn’t be exchanged for ‘slow moving EV’, this custom Datsun proved that even the smallest, oldest EV could outperform a Ferrari. Dubbed the White Zombie, this speed demon goes from 0 to 60 in 2.95 seconds, covering a quarter-mile in 11.46 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. Rather famous for its performance in the field, there are numerous YouTube clips which show this EV massively embarrassing Ferraris and other top performing gas engine cars on the drag strip.

At this stage nearly a dozen or more major manufacturers are in full tilt EV production or conceptualisation but still, far too many of them are looking at releasing hybrid mixes which use part EV batteries and part standard gas engines. This could be in an effort to get consumers used to the switch over or it could simply be pressure from the oil companies to drain every last drop of oil from the planet before making a complete switch but, either way, it’s better than nothing.

While it’s a shame that analysts had long ago projected that the global oil supply would be almost expended by 2020, and we’re only now (in 2011) embracing the alternative, most people don’t even know what a world without oil is going to mean.

Gasoline – used to power automobiles, planes, boats, and many other forms of transportation
Diesel Fuel – used for powering automobiles
Kerosene – used in lighting and cooking
Heating Oil – used to provide homes with vital warmth
Lubricating oil – cooling heavy machinery
Grease – essential for automobile repair, train tracks, machinery upkeep, etc.
Tar – used in construction.

 

Warren Kings is a writer at heart and was practically born with a pen in his hand. He writes articles and blogs for a Cape Town Based company and enjoys every minute of it. His talents range from writing about his travels around South Africa, having an in-depth knowledge of the consumer protection act and an aarto certificate.