All-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles all fall under the canopy of eco-friendly cars. Any car designed to have minimal impact on the environment in some way is eco-friendly. This would mean even gas cars featuring sustainably sourced materials can be described as eco-friendly.
However, this topic aligns with models that use alternative fuel or advanced driveline technologies to cut emissions and improve efficiency.
Such vehicles used to be known to compromise on power, but today, many electrics and hybrids have proven going green doesn’t have to mean going slow. These 10 sit at the head of the table, combining environmental consciousness with exceptional power.
Rimac Nevera
For an all-electric hypercar that makes an incredible 1,914 hp, the Rimac Nevera (or Rimac C2) redefines the meaning of “Drive Responsibly.” The Nevera is no doubt one of the most powerful and dynamic eco-friendly cars the world has ever seen, offering cutting-edge technology and heart-pounding performance.
The Croatia-made speed machine uses a proprietary technology to manage and optimize battery cooling and power distribution to all four wheels. It uses four e-motors (one for each wheel) that catapult it to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds, cranking out 1,714 lb-ft of torque. Its 120-kWh battery keeps it going for over 300 miles per charge.
Lucid Air Sapphire
The Lucid Air Sapphire is literally an embodiment of “eco-friendly,” mild and easy on the eyes, and favors an all-electric driveline and recycled interior materials. However, the Air Sapphire’s performance can hardly be described as mild-mannered.
It’s merely interested in introducing driving enthusiasts to the future of high-performance driving without the environmental impact.
This Sapphire edition of the Air churns out over 1,200 hp via a tri-motor electric setup, enough for a blistering acceleration to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds. Talk about being both green and ferociously fast. On a full belly, it can keep going for 400 miles and some.
Tesla Model S Plaid
The Model S is already one of the most potent electric cars money can buy without the Plaid “more-performance” treatment. It’s a bonafide sleeper car that balances range and speed in a green package.
The car can keep traveling for 396 miles per charge despite showcasing a 1,020-hp powertrain. Here is a family, perfectly road-legal sedan that can race to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph. Install the Track Package, and the Plaid’s pace piques to 200 mph.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
One of the world’s most beautiful electric cars is also one of the most potent – the Taycan. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S finds eco-friendliness by capturing Porsche’s renowned racing heritage in a zero-tailpipe package.
It uses an 800-volt battery architecture to support a mind-blowing performance of around 750 hp and up to 774 lb-ft of torque. The electric powertrain can send it from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and a range of 200 to 250 miles per charge.
Lotus Evija
The Lotus Evija is a British hypercar that made history as one of the world’s most powerful and fastest cars. It uses an all-electric quad-motor powertrain that generates approximately 2,000 hp and 1,254 lb-ft of torque, effectively making it the world’s most powerful electric car and the most potent series-produced road car.
Each of the four motors makes 503 hp, allowing a teeth-rattling top speed of 217 mph. It can accelerate to 186 mph in less than 9 seconds and comes shod in magnesium wheels wrapped in Pirelli Trofeo R tires.
Karma Revero GT
Only gearheads and enthusiasts know about this American luxury EV with a body inspired by California’s aerospace industry. It’s a plug-in hybrid that blends eco-friendly technology with outstanding performance and a healthy dose of American style.
Its 1.5-liter turbocharged gas mill merely serves as a generator for its dual-motor electric heart, producing a combined output of 536 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. It can keep going for up to 61 and 360 miles, and when the time comes to run, dash from zero to 60 mph in approximately 4 seconds.
The powertrain, however, isn’t the only thing that defines the Karma Revero GT’s environmental responsibility. The interior adopts eco-friendly materials like sustainably sourced Scottish leather and reclaimed wood trim.
Polestar 1
Apparently, the Polestar 1 isn’t just an unnervingly beautiful coupe. It’s a limited-production PHEV that merges Swedish elegance with advanced hybrid technology and sports car performance.
It combines a supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce a combined output of 619 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. No skimping on power here.
It’s enough to send it from rest to 60 mph in around 4 seconds, and at 60 miles of range of electric-only range, delivers one of the highest emissions-free travel in the PHEV segment.
Audi RS e-tron GT
The all-electric RS e-tron GT rides on the same platform as the Porsche Taycan. It means a dual-motor powertrain and a fast-charging 800-volt architecture. Audi used this car to showcase its expertise in the luxury high-performance EV segment.
It’s the most powerful production car the company ever built as well as the first-ever all-electric RS model. The car boasts different horsepower levels, none a child’s play.
In a nutshell, the 2024 model delivers up to 637 hp with Launch Control, while the 2025 RS e-tron GT Performance model starts at 738 hp, rising to 832 hp with overboost, and tapping out at a glorious 912 hp with Launch Control.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
This high-performance version of Ford’s all-electric SUV brings the Mustang legacy to the electric era with eco-conscious power. It uses a dual-motor AWD system and a 93-kWh battery, producing 480 hp, 634 lb-ft of torque, and a range of approximately 250 miles per charge.
Despite the relatively modest numbers, the Mach-E GT is light and quick enough to sprint to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
BMW iX M60
The iX M60 invites performance enthusiasts to experience BMW’s renowned driving dynamics in a cutting-edge electric package. It receives motivation from two electric motors energized by an in-house-developed battery pack.
The setup delivers 610 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque, enough to send the SUV sprinting to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. In other words, the BMW iX M60 is one of the fastest electric SUVs on the market. Its 111.5 kWh battery can keep it going for around 280 miles on a full belly.
