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One of the most asked questions by potential electric vehicle buyers is “How fast can you charge an EV?” To answer that question, we’ll cover several factors that go into charging at home and at public charging stations, both of which are big parts of the EV ownership experience. We’ll also highlight a couple of fast-charging EVs you can buy through our LeithCars.com new vehicle inventory.

From slow to fast, how long it takes to charge your EV depends on several factors. – Getty Images

What is your power source?

Regarding the infrastructure to support an EV-driven world, you’ll need to understand the various performance levels offered at Electric Vehicle charging stations. The most basic, least efficient way of charging an EV is through a standard, three-prong power outlet found outside your home known as a 120 Volt Level 1 charge.

A Level 1 or “trickle charge” will give you a few extra miles of range the next day if you have time to plug your EV in overnight, due to the limited amount of range per hour of charge time.

AC Level 1: Standard Wall Outlet (Home) = 120V.

Range = 3-5 miles per hour of charge.

Charging Time (from 20% battery level) = 30-50+ hours for a Battery EV (BEV) or 5-6 hours for a Plug-In Hybrid EV (PHEV)*

Note: PHEVs have a much smaller lithium-ion battery pack compared to BEVs because Plug-In Hybrid EVs also have a small I.C.E. (Internal Combustion Engine) to provide propulsion. The amount of time it takes to charge the PHEV’s smaller battery is much less than the time you’ll need to charge a BEV.*

For charging more efficiently at home, especially overnight, you’ll need to have an exterior wall-mounted 240V EV charging unit professionally installed to give you a boost in power output and range per hour of charge. This type of charging source is called a Level 2 charger and features an outlet like you’ll see an electric clothes dryer plugged into. This type of 240V plug will allow you to charge your EV at three to five times the speed of a standard 120V outlet.

AC Level 2: Home Unit and Public Charging Station = 240V

Range = 10-20 miles per hour of charge.

Charging Time (from 20%) = 3-8 hours for a Battery EV (BEV).

A professionally installed 240V (AC Level 2) home charger or a similar 240V public charging station port is the best if you’re only commuting between home and work each day within your city or town. A 240V charging source can give you enough juice for daily driving around town when you charge overnight at home or when you top off during the day at a public station.

If your daily commute requires long stretches of highway driving, however, your battery depletion will be faster than if you’re only driving across town. If this is your daily driving routine, you’ll need to find a Level 3 DC Fast Charger along your route.

Nissan ARIYA plugged into a DC Level 3 EVgo Fast Charging public station. – EVgo/Nissan USA

Level 3 chargers (also known as direct current fast chargers or DCFC) use a high-voltage direct current that goes straight to the car’s battery. Not all DC fast chargers are compatible with every electric vehicle though, so you’ll need to do your research before plugging into one.

DC Level 3: Public DC Quick Charging Station = 480V

Range = 4-6 miles per minute of charge.

Charging Time (from 20%) = 15-60+ minutes for a Battery EV (BEV).

DC fast chargers are generally found in public areas like shopping mall parking lots and parking garages. You might also find these types of chargers at select gas stations/convenience stores and at some fast-food restaurant chains along a highway exit. These types of convenient DC Quick Charging stations allow EV owners a place to take a break from the road during a long journey while they DC fast charge. As the nation’s EV charging infrastructure continues to grow, DC fast chargers should become more available.

A promising development in regards to fast-charger availability is that by 2025 or sooner, most major automotive brands sold in the United States will begin installing the “Tesla-designed” 480V fast charge port in their cars. This will allow a non-Tesla EV to charge at select Tesla Super Charger stations.

Plus, owners of EVs built before the adoption of the Tesla port can purchase an adapter that will allow their non-Tesla EV to charge at a Tesla Super Charger station. Tesla’s network of superchargers is much more widely available across the nation and in large urban areas compared to other types of EV fast charger stations like ChargePoint, EVgo and Electrify America.

BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and a handful of other manufacturers have said that their electric vehicles will be able to use select Tesla superchargers that have been upgraded with what’s known as a “Magic Dock” starting as soon as 2024, with more automakers expected to follow soon after.

In addition, several major automakers have announced plans to open 30,000 charging stations of their own across the U.S. It’s important to note that the Magic Dock fast charger station is a program that has been slowly rolling out across the nation, so not every Tesla Super Charger station has the Magic Dock update yet.

As more fast-charging stations and charging solutions become available, long-distance EV road trips will require less planning ahead.

Accessibility to a CCS or NACS fast charger isn’t the only factor in how quickly you can recharge, however. Your charging time also depends on the maximum charging rate of the charging station you’re using. Even if your car can charge at a higher rate, it will only charge at your charging station’s maximum power output. As we’ve experienced in our own EV test drives, not all public charging stations operate at their peak power output 100% of the time.

A handful of other factors may affect the speed at which you can charge too, like the amount of charge your EV’s battery can handle, the size of your EV battery, is your battery nearly empty or almost full of charge, and weather conditions. Yes, the lower the temperature is outside, the longer it can take to charge your car’s battery. Hot weather can affect your EV’s thermal management system too, making the charging process less efficient and putting added stress on your vehicle’s internal heat resistance.

Two of the Fastest-Charging EVs on the Market are Sold by Leith

2024 Kia EV6 – Kia America

Kia EV6 GT — 14.5 miles of range per minute of charge

The Kia EV6 is one of the fastest-charging EVs on the market. It is sold by our Auto Park Kia dealership in Wendell, N.C. Using an 800-volt DC ultra-fast charging station with a 350-kilowatt charger can boost the EV6’s battery with over 200 miles of range in around 18 minutes, according to Kia.

To achieve its fast charging, Kia uses an advanced 800-volt architecture which will also be found across all the EV models coming soon from Kia. For comparison, competing brands like Ford and Volkswagen use a 400-volt charging system that operates much more slowly when you plug in.

Just for reference, a typical 150-kilowatt charger in the United States will be rated for 400 volts, while 350-kilowatt chargers can output up to 800 volts. So to achieve the maximum charge speed the Kia EV6 is capable of, you need to find an 800 V DC fast charging station.

2023 Porsche Taycan – Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

 Porsche Taycan — 15.5 miles of range per minute of charge

Not only is the new Porsche Taycan fast from a stoplight, but it’s fast at charging because it also uses a high-capacity 800-volt charging system. This allows the Taycan to be charged at a rate of 15.5 miles per minute so in 15 minutes, with the Porsche Taycan plugged into an 800-volt charging station, you can have over 230 miles of range.

The 350-kW Electrify America stations operate at 800 volts, and the fact that the voltage is twice as high means that half the current is required to achieve a given rate of charge. Tesla’s superchargers operate at 400 volts, so plugging a Porsche Taycan into a Tesla charger will result in a slower charge time.

Do Your Homework and Read the Fine Print.

As with any new tech, it’s always best to educate yourself as much as possible before you decide to purchase an Electric Vehicle. Look for and read the disclaimers that automakers usually include at the bottom of their websites regarding different aspects of electric vehicle ownership. We’ve included a pretty typical disclaimer from a major import brand below so you can get up to speed on the current state of EVs. Like they say, “It’s good to know before you go.”

Look for and read the disclaimers that automakers usually include at the bottom of their websites. – Getty Images

Disclaimer: “The actual mileage and range will vary and depend on several factors, including driving and charging habits, accessory use, temperature and topography, battery age, load and vehicle condition. Battery capacity decreases with time and use. 

Charging times will vary and depend on a variety of factors, including ambient temperature, charger type, battery condition and initial state of charge, vehicle condition, and others. Frequent and consecutive fast charging can permanently decrease battery capacity.”

Here’s another disclaimer that refers to the loss of range and possible increase in charge times.

“Like all lithium-ion batteries, the lithium-ion battery in your vehicle is subject to physical and chemical aging, as well as wear and tear. Therefore, your vehicle’s battery will experience a reduction in the amount of electricity or charge it can hold over time, resulting in a reduction in the vehicle’s range and an increase in charging times. This is normal.”

By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

When looking to buy a new car, people used to ask, “How far can it go on a tank of gas?” An increasing number of Americans ask, “How far will it go on a full charge?” Yes, we are experiencing the dawn of the electric vehicle (EV), and with it, a slew of new questions from potential EV buyers, maybe even from you. So we’ve compiled a short list of three, new, long-range EVs sold at Leith Automotive Group in North Carolina. These base models are the three that can travel the farthest on a full charge.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2021, “the median driving range of all-electric vehicles (EV) was 234 miles while the median range for gasoline vehicles was 403 miles.” However, the range for EVs has been increasing, and very soon, it’s expected to rival their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts.

Our list is ranked by their Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) combined driving range from the shortest to the longest.*  The longest-range version of each EV model is listed below and includes the base MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) before any options or taxes are added.

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2023 BMW iX: 324 Miles

2023 BMW iX – BMW of North America, LLC

The BMW iX xDrive50 is an EV we’ve covered in one of our previous EV blogs and featured on video. Here, you’ll find dual electric motors with a combined output of 516 horsepower for plenty of motivation down the road. The range of the BMW iX xDrive50 will vary based on the wheel size package you choose, but when using the standard 20-inch wheels, the iX xDrive50 is rated at an EPA-estimated 324 miles, which is the longest range offered in the iX model range.

  • Base MSRP: $87,001

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2023 GMC Hummer EV Pickup: 329 Miles

2023 GMC Hummer EV Pickup – GMC

Here’s another EV we’ve featured in a companion blog, but this time, the GMC Hummer EV pickup makes our long-range list, too. Trading in its fuel-devouring past for a more efficient electric future, this all-new Hummer EV tips the scales at a whopping 9,063 pounds! But this is no lumbering beast, the new Hummer EV is lightning quick thanks to three electric motors pumping out 1,000 horsepower and hitched to General Motor’s Ultium battery pack. All that power catapults the GMC Hummer EV pickup from 0 – 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, but as long as you drive sensibly, you can expect to travel 329 miles on a full charge.

  • Estimated Base MSRP: $110,295*

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2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan: 350 Miles

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan – Mercedes-Benz USA

The 2023 Mecedes-Benz EQS is a very aerodynamically styled sedan, and with its cutting-edge EV tech, it’s no surprise that it tops our list of the longest-range new EVs sold by Leith dealerships. The EQS is the flagship EV for Mercedes-Benz, as chronicled in our Zero to 60TV episode from 2022.

The EQS sedan is available in three model trims, a base rear-wheel-drive EQS450+, the all-wheel-drive EQS450 4Matic, and EQS580 4Matic. AMG also tunes a more powerful version. But for our list, the 329-hp EQS450+ scores an EPA-estimated 350 miles of range, and even the more powerful, all-wheel drive EQS580 4Matic, still with 516 horsepower, manages an impressive 340 miles of range.

  • Base MSRP: $104,400

If you’re curious about other new, long-range Electric Vehicles available across the Leith Automotive Group, check out this specially curated list of EVs under $60k.

VW ID.4 AWD Pro-S

Range up to 255 miles

Base MSRP: $52,795 


Nissan Ariya Venture +

Range up to 304 miles

Base MSRP: $47,190


BMW i4 eDrive 40

Range up to 307 miles

Base MSRP: $57,300


Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD

Range up to 310 miles

Base MSRP: $52,900


Ford Mustang Mach-E CR1

Range up to 312 miles

Base MSRP: $56,995


By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

Electric Vehicle (EV) battery cells aren’t cheap, but the good news is that the average cost of lithium-ion batteries has fallen a whopping 89% since the year 2010, according to BloombergNEF, (a strategic research provider that covers global commodity markets and the technologies used to transition to a low-carbon economy).  The average price of a lithium-ion (Li-ion) EV battery pack in 2010 was a staggering $1,200 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) but was a more reasonable $132/kWh in 2021.

So what do all those numbers mean, exactly? Let’s dive in.

EV battery packs are made up of multiple interconnected modules consisting of tens to hundreds of rechargeable Li-ion cells. Together, these cells make up about 77% of the total cost of an average battery pack.

Electric car chassis with its battery pack containing hundreds of individual cells. – Getty Images

So, what drives the cost of these individual battery cells? It’s all about the cathode; each cathode adds up to over half of the overall cost of a battery cell. But what’s a cathode, you ask?

A cathode is one of two electrode types found in a battery or an electrochemical cell. The other type is called the anode; together, they create the flow of electric charge. The cathode is the positive electrode, while the anode is the negative electrode.

The type of material that makes up the cathode determines a battery’s capacity, range, power, and thermal safety (and the EV where it resides). Most cathodes contain Lithium and other metals like Nickel, Cobalt, and Manganese.

Automakers are rushing to secure supplies of these in-demand metals as EV sales continue to grow, making them a bit costly as a high-demand commodity. It also doesn’t help that the majority of Cobalt, mined in the world, comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where child labor is often used. DRC mined Cobalt accounted for 73% of global output in 2022. That percentage of production is expected to drop to 57% by 2030, according to the Cobalt Institute, as other nations, like Indonesia, ramp up their mining efforts.

In the image below, you can see what materials and other factors make up the cost of an EV battery, with the cathode taking up the greatest proportion at 51%.

Cost breakdown of the individual cells that make up an EV battery.

EV Battery Cell Components other than Cobalt

Components outside of the cathode make up the other 49% of a battery cell’s cost. This includes the manufacturing process and depreciation (24%), which involves producing the electrodes, assembling the different components, and finishing the cell. Globally, China produces 80% of Electric Vehicle battery cells, while the United States only produces 6%.

The anode makes up 12% of the total cost. The anode in a Li-ion cell is usually made of natural or synthetic graphite, which helps keep the cost down compared to other battery commodities.

At 7% of the EV battery’s cost, the separator performs the important function of preventing electric contact between the cathode and the anode.

The electrolyte makes up 4% of the battery’s cost and is the medium that transports lithium ions from the cathode and the anode.

Finally, the battery housings that contain and protect battery packs account for 3% of the total cost and are usually made of steel or aluminum.

So while the cost per kilowatt-hour has been going down for EV batteries, more and more Electric Vehicles are being produced, which will cause a much greater demand for batteries and the specialized materials they require in the near future. How this will all play out cost-wise is anyone’s guess, but currently, the average cost of the battery pack in your new EV is between $10,000 and $12,000. But don’t worry; today’s battery packs are expected to last between 15 and 20 years or 100,000 to 200,000 miles (depending on your driving behavior), which is far longer than most people keep their cars.

By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

At the age of 5, the typical kindergartener is learning how to ride a bike with training wheels. By age 6, many kids are confidently pedaling on two wheels in their neighborhood with Mom or Dad keeping close tabs on their safety.

Unless you’re a kid like Paxton Cole, who’s been driving quarter midget race cars since he was about 6 1/2 years old. Paxton has big dreams of racing at the top levels of NASCAR someday, so now, as a third grader and seasoned quarter-midget race car driver, he’s paying his dues and having a blast in the NASCAR Youth Series.

The team owner, aka “Dad,” is Bradly Smith. He, along with his wife, Sara, who performs crew chief duties on race days as a member of the Cole Motorsports crew, faithfully travel from their Raleigh home to wherever the race schedule takes them. On most weekends, the destination is Salisbury, North Carolina, just north of Charlotte, where the only quarter-midget race track in the state, North Carolina Quarter-Midget Association Speedway, is located.

8-year-old Paxton gets pulled to the starting line by Dad on race day at North Carolina Quarter-Midget Association Speedway. – Paxton Cole Motorsports-Facebook

NASCAR Cup Champion Bobby Labonte along with members of the North Carolina Quarter-Midget Association, helped found the 1/20th-mile, concrete surface race track in 2004. At that time, it was the only track of its kind between Atlanta and Pennsylvania. Labonte himself, got his racing start in a quarter midget in 1969, and decades later as a father, Labonte oversaw his own children’s participation in quarter midget racing.

As you’ll hear in our Zero to 60 Podcast episode with Paxton and Bradly (linked below), a quarter midget race car is a quarter-scale version of a midget race car. A midget race car is a very small, open-wheel (no fenders) race car that’s usually powered by a race-prepared 4-cylinder engine.

Quarter midget race cars are a great way for kids to get into motorsports and for those who may be more serious about racing like Paxton, there just might be a driver’s seat open at Daytona for them at some point in the future.

Listen to our podcast interview with Paxton Cole Motorsports for the full story by clicking the play button, below.

Paxton Cole Motorsports at the North Carolina Quarter-Midget Association Speedway in Salisbury (left side and bottom) and promoting the NASCAR Youth Series at Raleigh’s Wake County Speedway with LeithCars.com (top right). Paxton Cole Motorsports-Facebook

By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

If there’s one thing you can look forward to in the newest range of electric vehicles (EVs) besides the feeling of instant torque pushing you back into your seat, it’s got to be their incredible acceleration. Of course, not all EVs are designed to have blistering speed, but for the electrically motivated cars and SUVs that are, we’ve put together a list of the “seven fastest.”

This is a mighty impressive list, too. We’re talking zero to 60 mph times in the range of 2.6 to 3.6 seconds (as tested on a closed course by each automotive manufacturer listed below). Please keep in mind, though, that our list only includes new EV models sold by our Leith Automotive Group new vehicle brands* in North Carolina.

So, without further delay, here’s our list of seven Leith EVs from fast to fastest, beginning with the 2024 BMW iX M60.

2024 BMW iX M60 – BMW USA

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BMW iX M60: 0–60 mph in 3.6 Seconds

The all-electric 2023 BMW iX M60 is around the size of the gas-powered BMW X5 Sport Activity Vehicle, but the similarities end there. The body and structure of the iX are made from high-strength steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastic to save weight and improve performance.

How much improvement? It’ll do zero to 60 miles per hour in a scant 3.6 seconds, according to testing by BMW.

The M60, based on the BMW iX, gives owners enhanced front and rear electric motors that, together, produce a healthy 610 horsepower in Sport mode. But you really feel the M60’s extra performance when you let loose using the launch control and unleash the available 811 pound-feet of torque under your right foot!

Want to see the new BMW iX xDrive50 up close? Watch our LeithCars Car Tour video, here.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT – Ford Motor Company

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Performance Edition: 0–60 mph in 3.5 Seconds

With styling cues taken from the legendary Ford Mustang coupe, the Mustang Mach-E only shares part of its name and the galloping horse on its nose with the famous pony car that’s been lighting up drag strips and cruising American boulevards for nearly six decades.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a 21st-century battery-powered, electric-motored, 4-door SUV that also happens to be pretty darn quick. It comes in several model trims from a base “Select,” a more robust optioned “Premium,” an extended range trim called “California Route 1,” and a couple of GT trims that bring together a ton of features and gobs of extra power.

For a power and speed comparison, the standard Select trim (with rear-wheel drive) provides 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, propelling the e-Stang from 0 – 60 in 6.3 seconds. But, if you check the order box for the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, you get 480 hp and 634 lb.-ft. of torque matched with eAWD (electric all-wheel-drive). With that powerful combo, you’ll be able to blast to sixty mph in 3.5 seconds, which might even make a Mustang Shelby GT500 owner jealous.

2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ – Mercedes-Benz USA

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Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan: 0–60 MPH in 3.4 Seconds

If you’re unfamiliar with the Mercedes-Benz EQS, here’s a quick summary. The slick, aerodynamic luxury sedan pictured above is the electric flagship of the line for Mercedes-Benz. Think of the EQS as an “electric” S Class. It’s a big, super comfy, top-of-the-line, advanced technology masterpiece, with perhaps the most outstanding feature being its Hyperscreen touch-screen that spans the full width of the dash to the benefit of both driver and passenger.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan simply amps everything up from the EQS 580 when it comes to overall driving performance. In other words, the AMG version of the EQS is what you would expect from their in-house high-performance division.

The upgraded Dual Permanently Excited Synchronous electric motors in the AMG EQS serve up 649 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. But wait, there’s more! With the optional boost mode engaged, your available power increases to 751 hp and 752 lb-ft, which is capable of rocketing the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan from zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.4 seconds according to Mercedes-Benz.

2023 Kia EV6 GT – Kia America

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Kia EV6 GT: 0–60 MPH in 3.4 Seconds

The next car on our list of the seven fastest new EVs at Leith dealerships (from zero to 60)* may be the biggest surprise of them all. Yes, Kia has a super-cool EV sport sedan called the EV6, and its Kia EV6 GT is the high-performance variant.

Available in six trims beginning with the EV6 Light (Rear-Wheel Drive) rated at 167 horsepower & 258 lb-ft. of torque, the other trim options include the Wind (RWD) 225 hp & 258 lb-ft., and Wind (e-All-Wheel Drive) that tops out at 320 hp & 446 lb-ft. of torque. The sportiest of trim/power options include the GT-Line (RWD) which packs the same power output as the previously mentioned “Wind (RWD),” and the GT-Line (e-AWD) which mirrors the same output of the “Wind (e-AWD).” But where does all that performance leave the top-tier GT (e-AWD)?

It starts with a beefed-up dual electric motor that punches out 576 horses and a whopping 545 lb-ft. of torque. To tame your urge to use up all that available power in everyday driving, Kia has built a Normal and Sport mode that limits the dual motors to 460 horsepower, and Eco mode cuts horsepower to 288. Don’t worry though, because you’ll always have access to all 545 pound-feet of torque and that’s enough motivation to enable the EV6 GT to rocket to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

2023 Audi RS e-tron – Audi of America

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Audi RS e-tron GT: 0–60 MPH in 3.1 Seconds

Audi and Porsche have a storied history of collaborative efforts, with possibly the most striking example being the 1994 Audi RS2 Avant based on the Audi 80 sport wagon. This ferocious little wagon carried Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive system but under the hood, you’d find a Porsche-tuned 2.2-liter turbocharged five-cylinder supplied by Audi. For its time, the Audi RS2 was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, easily putting larger, more powerful sport sedans and coupes to shame.

Fast-forward to now, and we have another Audi/Porsche mash-up that has once again yielded incredible results. The 2023 Audi e-tron GT is Audi’s first electric super sedan and it shares its platform with the Porsche Taycan, which we’ll get to later.

Like any proper Audi, all-wheel drive is standard on the entry-level e-tron GT with an electric motor pairing that manages a stout 522 horsepower that’s good for a 3.9 second zero to 60 miles per hour time. But if that’s not fast enough for you and what you really crave is a track-ready electric supercar, then step into the RS e-tron GT. There, you’ll have 637 electrified ponies at your disposal, which Audi has been able to hit the 60 miles per hour mark with, in a lightning-quick 3.1 seconds!

If you’re wondering how the range is with all that performance potential, well, there is a slight trade-off in speed versus miles per charge. But, with 249 miles between plug-ins, the six-figure Audi RS e-tron GT is exclusively made for those who want to smile while they drive.

2023 GMC Hummer EV Pickup – GMC

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GMC Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1: 0–60 MPH in 3.0 Seconds

This is not your ordinary truck. This is what GMC calls a “super truck,” and for good reason. This is a behemoth on four wheels, weighing in at a hefty 9,063 pounds. Just for reference, the Ultium battery pack the Hummer EV Pickup carries low in its frame, and weighs 2,923 pounds, is actually heavier than the smallest sub-compact car that General Motors currently builds.

But no worries, this all-new Hummer brings three electric motors that make a combined 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb. ft. of torque to the party. In fact, according to GMC, when you use the available Watts to Freedom launch control, you can rocket to 60 mph in a blistering 3.0 seconds!*

That is an insane performance number considering the size and weight of this new Hummer EV. But with off-roading being more important than speed for an EV like the new Hummer, you also get a rear-wheel steering system that makes the Hummer EV extremely maneuverable when you leave the pavement. In fact, this big brute can even drive sideways with what GMC calls “Crab driving mode.” Other niceties include GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, a gigantic 13.4-inch infotainment system, an adjustable air suspension, and more than enough places to store or conceal your gear for your next EV road trip.

* Watts to Freedom is intended for use only on a closed course and should not be used on public roads.

2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo S – Porsche Cars North America

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Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 0–60 MPH in 2.6 Seconds

As mentioned earlier, the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT share the same platform, so many of the good bits you’ll find in the four-ringed version of this sleek, curvaceous four-door sports sedan, you’ll also be treated to in the Porsche Taycan. However, rest assured that Porsche’s engineers have specially tuned the Taycan to drive like a proper Porsche sports car should.

Beginning with a single-rear-motor (rear-wheel-drive) base model that makes 402 horsepower up to the wickedly fast dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) 750-hp Turbo S, the Taycan offers buyers three body styles to choose from. There’s a fastback sedan, a long-roof wagon Cross Turismo that includes some lower body cladding, and a Sport Turismo with a lower, sportier suspension without the off-road look. Each body style comes in several trims, too: the 4S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo S. (Just to clarify…there is NOT an actual turbocharger anywhere on the model trims called Turbo). “Turbo” is simply a unique nomenclature for Porcshe’s top-performing electric model.

Performance enthusiasts will most surely appreciate that each Taycan model features a two-speed transmission too (as opposed to a single-speed unit like in most EVs). This unique two-speed transmission actually shifts during hard acceleration, like a proper sports car should. Drivers will also enjoy the Taycan’s agile handling, no doubt aided by the car’s rear-axle steering. Put all this performance together and you have a 750 horsepower, 774 pound-feet of torque rocket that’ll accelerate you from zero to sixty miles per hour in a blurring 2.6 seconds!


Now that you’ve whetted your appetite over these seven fastest new EVs at Leith, click the green button for even more info on today’s electric vehicles.

By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

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