Think a Ferrari is fast? Watch one get schooled below.

Electric cars are no joke. Yes, it’s true that many EVs are small, ungainly-looking oddities, but the other end of the spectrum—the realm of high-performance supercars—might surprise you.

After re-discovering a 1972 electric datsun that can accelerate from 0-60 in 3 seconds, we decided that an important question hadn’t really been answered yet:  how do the electric cars we’ve been hearing so much about stack up in terms of performance?

Below, we’ve listed the world’s top 10 fastest electric cars, based on the best available information (and a little creative license). Note that our criteria does not take into account a variety of important factors like charging time, availability, and cost. All cars are simply ranked by the time it takes them to get from 0-60 mph.

Most of the machines shown here are either not available or otherwise out out of the realm of possibility for most, but then again, so are most high-performance gas-powerd cars.  And that doesn’t keep us from admiring them. Please keep in mind that this post is not intended to be the final word on this topic.

Btw, if you’re interested in joining the first mailing list dedicated to bulk purchasing electric cars, check it out (you can also get cheap solar there too).

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“Choosing eco-friendly seafood is not only good for the oceans, it’s good for your family too,” says Katharine Burnham, spokesperson for the Environmental Defense Fund.

So what exactly is eco-friendly seafood? Anchovies are the Eco-Best Seafood, according to the Environmental Defense Fund’s research.  In its health facts, the fund says anchovies are high in heart-healthy omega-3s and have low contaminant levels.

Anchovies can be safely eaten by adults and children for more than four meals per month, research indicates.  They have “short life spans and reproduce quickly (and) are resilient to fishing pressure and remain plentiful.”

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The UK’s Guardian newspaper published their top 10 list of hottest cleantech companies in Europe, and what a mix!

Companies profiled include those involved in:

• Solar power;
• Electrical systems;
• Marine power;
• Industrial applications; and
• Distribution and management

Of the ten companies, eight are shipping product, and the other two are either in testing or development, but the technology is promising enough to warrant inclusion into the 2008 Guardian/Library House Cleantech 100’s top 10.

Read more of this story »

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something… green? It’s really not as out of the ordinary as it sounds—last year, Brides.com estimated that approximately 33% of future brides and grooms in the U.S. are planning an eco-friendly wedding.

Today, The Nature Conservancy is issuing tips for planning a greener wedding or commitment ceremony, with ideas from invitations through the honeymoon to help reduce your celebration’s impact on the planet—and maybe even reduce the impact on your wallet as well.

“There’s no need to sacrifice your dream wedding for a green wedding,” said Sanjayan, lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy. “Just imagine the power of one simple change—be it as small as reducing wedding travel or serving organic food at the reception—multiplied by the thousands of couples who plan to marry this year. The littlest changes really add up, and can leave a positive impact on the Earth for generations to come.”

Invitations: Sending invitations electronically or on recycled paper stock will save money and trees. Bonus for going the electronic route: You’ll save on the fuel used to deliver the cards.

Gift registry: Register for gifts that you actually need and will definitely use, and if possible, are healthy for the planet. Many of your favorite stores probably carry organic and environmentally sound products already, and with a little research, you can ensure that your new ice cream maker has a minimal carbon footprint.

Reducing consumption can have more of an impact than simply buying recycled/recyclable products. If you don’t need anything, ask your guests to donate to your favorite charity.

Flowers: Organic flowers are one option, but tastefully arranged dried or silk flowers can make as big a statement as fresh floral arrangements.

If you’re set on fresh flowers, try decorating with potted plants native to your area. What’s fresher than still-living flora? You can even plant them when the ceremony is over—wedding décor and landscaping in one fell swoop!

Fashion: The Condé Nast Bridal Group estimates that most brides spend about $900 on just their gowns—and that’s not including the many accessories most brides need to polish their look. An environmentally and cost-friendly solution is to wear a vintage or hand-me-down dress. A female relative or friend’s gown has likely (hopefully!) only been worn once, and you do need something borrowed, right?

If you’d prefer a new dress, look for one that’s made of certified organic cotton, since polyester is petroleum-based, and most other cotton is grown with harsh pesticides. Grooms and ushers can get on the all-natural natural-fiber bandwagon as well by wearing a dress shirt made of hemp or organic cotton.

Do your bridesmaids a favor and forgo the puffy sleeves and universally unflattering fits, and select a gown that your girls would gladly wear again. If you’re stuck with a frock reminiscent of an ‘80s-era prom nightmare, forgo dumping that hideous gown in the garbage, and check out HGTV’s suggestions for turning sequins and taffeta into stylish home accents.

The Rings: The production of one tiny band of gold results in 20 tons of mine waste, according to Earthworks, an organization that works to protect the environment from the impact of mineral development. Show your commitment to your brand new spouse with a recycled or heirloom ring, or start a new trend by sporting silver bands, since the mining of silver is a bit gentler on the environment.

The Location: Holding your festivities in a central location will cut down on travel for your guests, which will make both them and Mother Nature even happier to be a part of your joyous day. Another thing to consider when choosing a wedding locale: “Believe it or not,” said Sanjayan, “big cities might be better than country locations because cities, for the most part, have less energy use in terms of per capita carbon.”

It’s possible to keep the travel to a minimum once your guests have arrived, too. When Evan Parker, The Nature Conservancy’s manager of digital membership, got married last October, he and his bride-to-be chose a church and reception site within walking distance. Post-ceremony, the bride traded in her formal shoes for sneakers, and the couple and their guests walked to the reception, held at a restaurant just blocks from the church.

Food: Feeding your guests unpronounceable pesticides is no way to show your appreciation for their attendance, so consider serving organic food and wine at the reception. Local produce is also a great, low-impact option, and your menu will be fresher for guests and easier on nature.

Favors: The Bridal Association of America estimates that the average couple spends over $400 on favors for their guests, which seems like a lot for a couple pounds of after-dinner mints. A greener option? Donate the amount set aside in your budget to a favorite charity.

The Nature Conservancy offers a number of favor options with a minimal carbon footprint. Help reforest Brazil’s Atlantic Forest by contributing to the Plant a Billion Trees campaign, or adopt a few acres of Costa Rican rainforest in honor of your guests.

If you absolutely must give your guests a sweet treat, try organic, local goodies like chocolate or wine. Really, does anyone need yet another tiny lace pouch of Jordan almonds?

The Honeymoon: The party might be over, but the honeymoon fun’s just begun—and it’s easy to maintain a green theme throughout your romantic getaway. One way to lessen your trip’s environmental impact is to forgo a far-flung destination. (And as the cost of fuel continues to rise, keeping it local will also save you a bundle in travel costs.) If you’d prefer to spend your first few days as husband and wife in a more exotic locale, remember that many travel companies offer eco-trips or environmentally friendly excursions. You could even go on a Nature Conservancy Conservation Journey!

No matter how you decide to spend your honeymoon, you can buy energy offset credits to offset the toll your travel has on the environment.

…And Baby Makes Three?: If there’s a baby on the way, or you’re planning to start a family soon, have eight trees planted on your child’s behalf, said Sanjayan. “Eight trees will offset the amount of carbon a person releases by simply breathing during an average lifetime.” While you’re at it, why not plant a few for yourself as well?

For more information on going green, learn how you can become an everyday environmentalist.

4. L1X-75: 0-60 in 3.1 Seconds

The carbon-fiber, 600hp L1X-75 is a confusing case because we’re not sure it really exists. Apparently, Popular Mechanics writers discovered it at the 2007 New York auto show, quoting pickup of 0-60 in 3.1s and a top speed of 175 mph. They even had a video to prove it, which is (sadly) no longer available.

According to Motor Authority, the car was developed as a joint venture between Hybrid Technologies Inc. and Mullen Motor Company, which makes a gasoline version ranked as the 7th fastest American production car.

But if you take a look at the Hybrid Technologies website, all you’ll find is something called the LiV RUSH, which would be knocked off this list for taking 5s to get to 60mph. Mullen Motor’s website shows a GTEV with 0-60mph acceleration time of 4.5s.

If you know what happened to this car, please let us know. Otherwise, I’m going to exercise my creative license and leave this phantom at #4.

5. AC Propulsion tzero Roadster: 0-60 mph in 3.6s

The tzero (pronounced  tee-zero) only needs 200 horsepower to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, due to a light-weight body. Built by San Dimas, CA-based AC Propulsion, the car has apparently owned both Porsche 911s and Corvettes, and even a Ferrari F355 in 1/8-mile drag race.

AC Propulsion has apparently manufactured the car since 1997, starting with lead-acid batteries and then moving to lithium-ion which extended the range from 100 to about 300 miles per charge.

Don’t expect to see this one on the street:  it’s a $220,000 prototype that probably won’t ever be more than a proof-of-concept.

6. Tesla Roadster: 0-60 mph in 3.9s

Tesla has been the darling of electric car afficionados for some time, mostly because they’ve produced a great car that is both available and, to some, affordable. Even though the Roadster’s top speed is electronically limited at 125 mph, it’s great to see it make a strong showing on this list with an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

Besides the roadster, Tesla has a sedan in the works (the Model S), which just debuted last week.

Check out the 248 peak horsepower output in this video (thanks Huddler):

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

7. Eliica: 0-60 mph in 4s

While it looks like something out of a bad scifi movie, the Eliica—even with 8 wheels—accelerates faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo. The Eliica (which stands for Electric Lithium-Ion Car) was built by a team at Keio University in Tokyo under the direction of the inventor, Hiroshi Shimizu.

Looks aren’t everything: the 640 hp eight-wheel drive hits 60 mph in 4 seconds and has been clocked at Italy’s Nardò High Speed Track at an impressive 230 mph. Under the right conditions, the Eliica team claims it could clear 250 mph.

Don’t expect to see this one anywhere. Price tag: $255,000 US

NEXT: 8. Rinspeed iChange: 0-60 mph in 4s:

8. Rinspeed iChange: 0-60 mph in 4s

This is another concept car we profiled recently. Debuting at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the Rinspeed iChange has the unique distinction of actually being able to change it’s body shape to suit passengers numbers.

More importantly, it looks pretty badass, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just over four seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph. For more detail: Rinspeed iChange EV Changes Shape To Suit Passenger Numbers

9. Tango: 0-60 mph in 4s

Let me cut you off: I don’t believe it either. How can something that looks like this ever be taken seriously? Commuter Cars, the manufacturer of this vehicle, claims in all seriousness that this is the ‘world’s fastest urban car’.

Statistically speaking–if you take their word for it–this is true: 0-60mph in 4s and a top speed of 120mph. I’m not sure how this thing would bank sharp turns, though the company website said the Nascar roll cage is designed for 200mph crashes.

And yes, they do exist. George Clooney has one. Check out some really low-quality video here.

And check out everything you wanted to know in this 24-minute video:

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

10. Dodge Circuit EV: 0-60 in under 5s

This may be one of the more controversial cars on the list: the Dodge Circuit EV has been called little more than a re-badged Lotus toy, since it’s actually a retooled Lotus Europa. It’s also been called by our very own Jo Borras a “marketing exercise (at best) and a con (at worst).”

Whether that’s true or not, the prototype has a 268 hp electric that produces 480 lb-ft of torque and a reported top speed fo 120 mph.

The Circuit appeared at the 2009 Detroit auto show and could portend future electric models in Chrysler’s lineup (but don’t quote us on this).

Bonus: How does a High-performance Plug-in Hybrid Compare?

11. Fisker Karma: 0-60 in 5.8s

We wouldn’t feel good about keeping Fisker’s Karma, the highly-anticipated and high-performance plug-in hybrid, off the list. The Karma is really only a different beast in terms of range and recharging, since plug-in hybrids use an onboard generator to recharge their batteries.

So how does it compare? The Karma has two modes to accommodate different driving styles. It will do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds in ‘Sport Mode,’ with a top speed of 125 mph. In the more economical ‘Stealth Mode’ will hit 60mph only after 7.5 seconds and top speed of 95 mph.

That’s it! What did we forget?

Here’s the whole gallery:

1. Reduce your plastic consumption. The most frequently collected items during beach cleanups are made of plastic—think reusable shopping bags, water bottles and utensils.
2. Make informed seafood choices. Keep a copy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s seafood guide in your wallet or text Blue Ocean’s FishPhone to help you choose sustainable seafood at the grocery store or a restaurant.
3. Dispose of chemicals properly. Never pour chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil or paint into the drain or toilets. Check with your county’s household hazardous waste program to properly dispose of or recycle chemicals and keep them out of rivers and oceans.
4. Choose green detergents and household cleaners—or make your own! Besides being better for your own health, these products are safer for the environment since what goes down the drain can end up in our oceans.
5. Get the dirt on your beachside retreat. Before you stay in a hotel on the coast, ask staff what happens to their sewage and swimming pool water, and if they source their restaurant fish from sustainable sources.
6. Find out the source of your food. Buying local, organic food reduces your carbon footprint, supports the local economy and reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizers that end up not just in your stomach, but as run-off in rivers and oceans, too.
7. Fill your yard with native species. Reducing the amount of grass in your lawn by planting native shrubs and flower beds will provide a better habitat for birds and other wildlife and require far less water and fertilizer, which can seep into the oceans.
8. Keep your beach visit clean. When visiting the beach, stay off fragile sand dunes, take your trash with you and leave plants, birds and wildlife for everyone to enjoy. Find a Conservancy coastal preserve near you.
9. Choose alternatives to coral. Whether shopping for jewelry, household décor or accessories for your fish tank, do your part to leave fragile coral reef habitats untouched by buying products that aren’t made of real coral.
10. Celebrate our oceans. Whether you live inland or on the coast, we are all connected to the ocean; take the time to organize or participate in activities that restore and celebrate the ocean, and help support The Nature Conservancy’s ocean conservation work.
    • Donate online now to support The Nature Conservancy’s work to protect and restore marine habitats in your area and around the world.
    • Rescue a Reef to help protect some of the most threatened corals in the world.
    • Sign up for the Conservancy’s Great Places Network, a free online membership program, to learn more about what the Conservancy is doing in your state and around the globe.
    • Test your oceans knowledge with our online quiz.
    • Send an ocean e-card to friends and family.

4. L1X-75: 0-60 in 3.1 Seconds

The carbon-fiber, 600hp L1X-75 is a confusing case because we’re not sure it really exists. Apparently, Popular Mechanics writers discovered it at the 2007 New York auto show, quoting pickup of 0-60 in 3.1s and a top speed of 175 mph. They even had a video to prove it, which is (sadly) no longer available.

According to Motor Authority, the car was developed as a joint venture between Hybrid Technologies Inc. and Mullen Motor Company, which makes a gasoline version ranked as the 7th fastest American production car.

But if you take a look at the Hybrid Technologies website, all you’ll find is something called the LiV RUSH, which would be knocked off this list for taking 5s to get to 60mph. Mullen Motor’s website shows a GTEV with 0-60mph acceleration time of 4.5s.

If you know what happened to this car, please let us know. Otherwise, I’m going to exercise my creative license and leave this phantom at #4.

5. AC Propulsion tzero Roadster: 0-60 mph in 3.6s

The tzero (pronounced  tee-zero) only needs 200 horsepower to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, due to a light-weight body. Built by San Dimas, CA-based AC Propulsion, the car has apparently owned both Porsche 911s and Corvettes, and even a Ferrari F355 in 1/8-mile drag race.

AC Propulsion has apparently manufactured the car since 1997, starting with lead-acid batteries and then moving to lithium-ion which extended the range from 100 to about 300 miles per charge.

Don’t expect to see this one on the street:  it’s a $220,000 prototype that probably won’t ever be more than a proof-of-concept.

6. Tesla Roadster: 0-60 mph in 3.9s

Tesla has been the darling of electric car afficionados for some time, mostly because they’ve produced a great car that is both available and, to some, affordable. Even though the Roadster’s top speed is electronically limited at 125 mph, it’s great to see it make a strong showing on this list with an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

Besides the roadster, Tesla has a sedan in the works (the Model S), which just debuted last week.

Check out the 248 peak horsepower output in this video (thanks Huddler):

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

7. Eliica: 0-60 mph in 4s

While it looks like something out of a bad scifi movie, the Eliica—even with 8 wheels—accelerates faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo. The Eliica (which stands for Electric Lithium-Ion Car) was built by a team at Keio University in Tokyo under the direction of the inventor, Hiroshi Shimizu.

Looks aren’t everything: the 640 hp eight-wheel drive hits 60 mph in 4 seconds and has been clocked at Italy’s Nardò High Speed Track at an impressive 230 mph. Under the right conditions, the Eliica team claims it could clear 250 mph.

Don’t expect to see this one anywhere. Price tag: $255,000 US

NEXT: 8. Rinspeed iChange: 0-60 mph in 4s:

8. Rinspeed iChange: 0-60 mph in 4s

This is another concept car we profiled recently. Debuting at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the Rinspeed iChange has the unique distinction of actually being able to change it’s body shape to suit passengers numbers.

More importantly, it looks pretty badass, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just over four seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph. For more detail: Rinspeed iChange EV Changes Shape To Suit Passenger Numbers

9. Tango: 0-60 mph in 4s

Let me cut you off: I don’t believe it either. How can something that looks like this ever be taken seriously? Commuter Cars, the manufacturer of this vehicle, claims in all seriousness that this is the ‘world’s fastest urban car’.

Statistically speaking–if you take their word for it–this is true: 0-60mph in 4s and a top speed of 120mph. I’m not sure how this thing would bank sharp turns, though the company website said the Nascar roll cage is designed for 200mph crashes.

And yes, they do exist. George Clooney has one. Check out some really low-quality video here.

And check out everything you wanted to know in this 24-minute video:

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

10. Dodge Circuit EV: 0-60 in under 5s

This may be one of the more controversial cars on the list: the Dodge Circuit EV has been called little more than a re-badged Lotus toy, since it’s actually a retooled Lotus Europa. It’s also been called by our very own Jo Borras a “marketing exercise (at best) and a con (at worst).”

Whether that’s true or not, the prototype has a 268 hp electric that produces 480 lb-ft of torque and a reported top speed fo 120 mph.

The Circuit appeared at the 2009 Detroit auto show and could portend future electric models in Chrysler’s lineup (but don’t quote us on this).

Bonus: How does a High-performance Plug-in Hybrid Compare?

11. Fisker Karma: 0-60 in 5.8s

We wouldn’t feel good about keeping Fisker’s Karma, the highly-anticipated and high-performance plug-in hybrid, off the list. The Karma is really only a different beast in terms of range and recharging, since plug-in hybrids use an onboard generator to recharge their batteries.

So how does it compare? The Karma has two modes to accommodate different driving styles. It will do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds in ‘Sport Mode,’ with a top speed of 125 mph. In the more economical ‘Stealth Mode’ will hit 60mph only after 7.5 seconds and top speed of 95 mph.

That’s it! What did we forget?

Here’s the whole gallery: