Have you become environment aware lately? Then its time to buy an all-electric car!

Updated on September 8, 2014

With electric vehicles trickling down the markets in greater numbers, everyone seems to be focused on how environment friendly or efficient they are and unlike ordinary cars we seem to forget about the passion and thrill that usually surrounds car enthusiast. So I decided to take the road less traveled. Here, I came up with my take at electric cars, judging EV’s on the basis of “desirable“ factor.

1) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe Electric Drive

Merc’s engineering mastermind offers next gen driving experience, a totally electric supercar. For an all-electric 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds,  is really an incredible statistic.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe Electric Drive
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe Electric Drive

The four electric motors powered by a liquid-cooled 400 V lithium-ion battery can produce 1,000Nm of torque with a maximum output of 751hp, with a range of 155 miles in a single charge. It really can’t get better than this. Without doubt this is the most desirable of all the electric cars on this list, except for one slight snag, it’s totally out of reach for most people as the SLS AMG Electric Drive costs nearly $550,000. We’re all allowed to dream, though, right?

2) BMW i3

BMW i3

With the looks of an SUV this car is really a game changer. BMW did six years of research, monitoring the driving habits of 1,000 people over 20 MILLION miles, to develop the incredible car that the i3 is today.

Amazing battery technology can take it nearly 120 miles on one charge. With futuristic styling both inside and out, and a very BMW-like 0-60mph in just 7 seconds makes this a serious competitor not just to other electric cars, but to its gas-powered rivals too. At $41,350, it is bit of a heart break kid.

3)   Kia Soul EV

Kia Soul EV
Kia Soul EV

Kia entered the battery powered electric vehicle market with the new Soul EV. On the road Soul is quiet and quick, with decent handling. The 81.4-kW electric motor produces 210 lb-ft of torque and a 109 hp.

Of course, the big question is, how far will the Soul EV go on one charge. Kia says about 120 miles. A 240-volt charger will fill the battery from scratch, in five hours. A fast charger can restore the battery to 80 percent full in 25 minutes. A 120-volt household-style outlet will take the battery from 0 to full in 24 hours.

With the price tag hung at $40,000, it is a pretty reasonable car, which clearly explains why it seems to be capable of capturing U.S. markets.

So the 2014 Kia Soul EV has a lot going for it. It’s good-looking (in a quirky way), fun to drive and useful, and it delivers on the expected attributes of a purely electric car making it a desirable EV.

4) Mercedes B-class Electric Drive

Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive
Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive

BMW brings its European B-class to the U.S. equipped with an electric power train to be the first Electric Drive vehicle to wear the tri-pointed star.

It is empowered with a 177-hp electric motor and front-wheel drive, taking it from 0-to-60 in  7.9 seconds. It can be charged to a 60-mile range on 240 volts in about two hours and with pricing starting at just over $42,000 it is pretty reasonable (keeping in mind that it includes navigation, collision prevention, and mbrace2).

5) Tesla Model S

Tesla model S

Talking about practicality the Tesla Model S has it all. Its efficient, with an amazing performance and is arguably one of the best luxury sedans.

It does 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and boasts a top speed of 125mph trumping all other electric cars when it comes to driving range. There are three battery options the 60kWh version can power the car for 230miles while the 85kWh and performance versions increase that to an incredible 300miles. All that doesn’t comes easy, and thats why it stands at a whopping $58,570. Still the demand is pretty high, in Norway demand is so high and supply so limited that even the second hand ones cost more than buying a new .

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