As the years go by we see more and more EV’s coming to market. Of course these EV’s are immediately taken to the drag strip and put up against the king of speed; THE TESLA! Well, almost any Tesla. So, what exactly gives Teslas the edge when they accelerate off the line?
The high acceleration rate of Teslas are thanks to the powerful electric motors they use combined with superior computer tech. These electric motors generate a lot of torque, which is then transferred to the wheels. This allows Teslas to accelerate quickly and maintain these speeds for longer periods of time.
If you’d like to find out more, check out the rest of this article. I’ve even listed the downsides to every Tesla motor and what they could do better. Check it!
How Fast Teslas Accelerate
Teslas accelerate 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds and hit the quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds at 122.7 mph. The power lies in its large-size battery and electric motors.
Its electric motor puts out near-maximum torque at any RPM, which is then transferred to the wheels. The instant torque of the electric motors propels the car off the line so quickly that it feels like you are being shot out of a cannon.
There is no engine to rev up, no gears to shift, and no delay in power delivery. You just plant your foot on the accelerator and hang on! The battery also provides a large amount of power, which helps the car maintain its speed for a longer period.
Additionally, Tesla’s computer distributes the horsepower equally to all four wheels. This ensures every wheel gets the right amount of power to grip the pavement, providing maximum traction and acceleration.
If you’d like to find out more about How The Tesla Drivetrain Works then check out this detailed explanation. It should answer any questions you might have after reading this article.
Tesla Statistic
Since its inception, Tesla has sold 1,917,450 EVs and has grown at a CAGR of 48.19%. The Tesla Model Y is the most popular EV in the US, with 48,354 units delivered in 2021.
Fastest Accelerating Teslas
Nothing is as exhilarating as the sheer acceleration you feel when behind the wheel of a Tesla. The thrill and excitement of going from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds are addictive and hard to match.
Cruising down the highway at high speeds is also a breeze in a Tesla. Here are the three fastest-accelerating Teslas:
Tesla Model S Plaid – 0–60 Mph in 1.9 Seconds
Hitting 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds, the Tesla Model S Plaid is the fastest-accelerating car ever made! It does a quarter-mile in 9.4 seconds at a speed of 151 mph.
Thanks to its three electric motors (one in the front and two in the rear), the Plaid can achieve insane power and torque. It has a top speed of 200 miles (321 km) per hour and a range of 390 miles (627 km).
I made a model /weight comparison and found out how big a Tesla electric motor is in this article that I wrote. Check it out! Very interesting tidbits.
Tesla Model S P100D With Ludicrous Mode – 0–60 Mph in 2.5 Seconds
With Ludicrous Mode, the Tesla Model S P100D attains 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds. It has a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 315 miles (506 km).
The P100D is equipped with two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear, that produce a combined 503 hp @ 6,150 rpm.
Tesla Model X P100D With Ludicrous Mode – 0–60 Mph in 2.9 Seconds
The Tesla Model X P100D with Ludicrous Mode goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds at 114 mph. Coupled with its all-wheel drive, the P100D has a top speed of 155 mph and can travel up to 289 miles (469 km) on a single charge.
Its electric motors produce a combined 605 hp and 713 lb-ft of torque.
| Tesla Model | Acceleration (0-60mph) | Top Speed | Torque |
| S Plaid | 1.9 seconds | 200 mph | 905.4 lb-ft |
| S P100D with Ludicrous Mode | 2.5 seconds | 155 mph | 487 lb-ft |
| X P100D with Ludicrous Mode | 2.9 seconds | 155 mph | 713 lb-ft |
A table comparing the top three high accelerating Teslas with their top speeds and amount of torque they produce.
Did You Know?
The Tesla Model S Plaid is the fastest-accelerating production car ever made! It can go from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 1.9 seconds, outperforming every supercar, including the following:
- Bugatti Chiron
- McLaren P1
- Porsche 918 Spyder
Motors All Tesla Models Use
Teslas use one of two types of electric motors:
Induction Motors
The induction (or asynchronous) motor is the most common type of electric motor and is used in the Tesla Model S and X. It consists of a rotating inner part (the rotor) and a stationary outer part (the stator). The rotor is attached to the wheels, and the stator surrounds it.
When electricity flows through the stator, it creates a magnetic field that interacts with the rotor’s magnetic field, causing it to rotate. This interaction is what produces the torque that propels the car.
The Downside of Induction Motors
The main downside of induction motors is that they require a lot of electricity to operate.
This means they drain the battery quickly and can’t be used for long periods without recharging. They are also less efficient at full load than other types of electric motors.
On a somewhat related note, I wrote an article where I compared the Tesla Permanent Magnet Motor vs. Induction Motor. Check it out for some in-depth info.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Reluctance Motors
Permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motors are newer and more efficient than induction motors. They are used in the Tesla Model 3 and Y. These motors have a rotor with permanent magnets and a stator made of copper wire coils.
The magnets in the rotor interact with the current in the coils to create torque, just like in the induction motor. However, since the magnets are permanent, they require less electricity to generate a strong magnetic field, making the motor more efficient.
The Downside of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Reluctance Motors
A large armature current poses a risk of demagnetization of the magnets, decreasing motor efficiency. Additionally, an extra ampere can’t be added to reduce the torque ripple as the armature reaction field opposes the applied field. Permanent magnets are also expensive to produce.
How Teslas Accelerate Compared to Other Premium EVs
While Teslas are some of the quickest cars on the road, they’re not the only premium EVs that can boast high acceleration rates. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S, for example, can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, while the Audi e-Tron GT can do it in 3.3 seconds.
Teslas boast higher acceleration due to their larger-sized batteries and electric motors. Since they are larger, they can store more energy and produce more torque, allowing them to accelerate quicker.
Fun Fact: The Roadster was Tesla’s first production car designed to show how quick and fun an electric car could be. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Electric Cars Produce Torque?
Electric cars produce torque by using an electric motor. The motor generates a magnetic field that interacts with the current in the stator, causing the rotor to rotate and produce torque.
How Do Teslas Accelerate So Fast?
Teslas accelerate quickly thanks to their large size batteries and electric motors. The electric motors put out maximum torque at any RPM, which allows the car to accelerate quickly.
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