Can EVs Compete with Petrol Supercars?

The electric vehicle revolution has arrived and the question on everyone's lips is whether the new era of cars can compare to their petrol-powered counterparts, especially when it comes to the luxury market. With the UK government under pressure to champion "zero emission" roads and ban all sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040, motorists will soon have no choice but to embrace electric.

Electric hypercars making waves with serious horsepower

The EV market has stepped up to the challenge, with new battery-powered models like the Lotus Evija making waves at exclusive preview events. Classed as an electric hypercar, the Lotus Evija features a sleek design and formidable engine capable of producing almost 2,000 horsepower. This makes it more powerful than any mass-manufactured petrol or diesel hypercar currently on the market. For example, the Bugatti Chiron generates 1,500hp through an internal combustion engine, while petrol models by Ferrari and Aston Martin deliver around 1,000hp.

The Lotus isn’t the only one model showing up traditional petrol-powered engines, with cutting edge electric hypercars such as the Tesla Roadster 2.0, Pininfarina, Rimac Concept Two and Battista also delivering exceptional speed, power and aesthetics.

Affordable EVs win over eco-conscious motorists

Unfortunately, the price point of hypercar EVs needs to be pushed down before they become competitive on the consumer market. Currently, the Lotus Evija will set back motorist around £2 million, an alienating price tag for most motorists. That said, there are a myriad of more affordable electric cars that easily compete with the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Audi S4. For example, the Tesla Model 3 is priced at around £35,000, while the Hyundai Kona EV has become so popular the waiting list now extends into 2020. The highly anticipated Mini E is guaranteed to turn heads on the street, with the city-friendly Honda E also winning points for its compact size and incredible efficiency.

There's no denying EVs are starting to break out of their niche and emerge as normal cars that most consumers can consider. From city drivers in search of affordability and maneuverability, to families looking for size and range, to luxury motorists craving power and style, the EV market now caters to every breed of consumer.

The EV market may be firing up but the petroleum industry isn't ready to slow down just yet. For a glimpse of the latest PEFTEC 2019 international conference spotlighting the ongoing relevance of nonrenewable resource, head to 'Oil Gas & Petrochem industries converge on Rotterdam'