While the popular perception of electric vehicles is that of low-powered city runarounds, recent developments in battery and engine technology mean that EVs have the potential to match, and in some cases even top, the performance of petrol-engine vehicles. We’ve been following a few of these changes and wanted to share some of the exciting developments coming in 2014.
Formula E Kicks Off
Formula E is a new FIA Championship for fully-electric Formula racing cars, beginning in Beijing in September 2014. 10 teams, each with two drivers, will race on 10 street circuits worldwide including London and Los Angeles. Watch the video below for a preview of the Spark-Renault SRT-01E completing its successful test debut at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit, France. The SRT-01E is the first electric vehicle to be approved by the FIA, does 0-60 in 3 seconds and has a top speed of 225kmh.
Aiming to be the World’s Fastest Car
Croatian electric engine designer Mate Rimac spent years developing an electric vehicle with performance at its core, eventually building an engine for a modified BMW that set five world speed records. In 2011 he teamed up with highly-rated car body designer Adriano Mudri to develop The Rimac Concept One, an electric-powered supercar that has the ultimate aim of being the world’s fastest production car. We think it looks fantastic.