Our friends, electric

A recent episode of quirky TV drama Weeds featured an unusual plug for electric cars. A small-town gangster decided that the eco-soccer mum vehicle of choice, a Toyota Prius, was so quiet it was the perfect car for drive-by shootings. If it's an endorsement Toyota is unlikely to exploit, it highlights one of the biggest differences between electric vehicles and their conventional counterparts. For car lovers, the roar of a highly tuned engine has always been part of a car's appeal. In an unlikely coalition, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) agrees with the petrol heads. It wants the next generation of high-performance electric cars to be fitted with devices to create an artificial noise.

Regardless of the noise they make, because all the power is available instantly (rather than having to build up, as with conventional engines) electric cars boast impressive statistics. With top speeds in excess of 125mph and acceleration figures to make Porsche owners blush, the new breed of electric supercars is not to be sniffed at. Here, we highlight some of the most exciting electric cars on the road.

Tesla
Despite considerable input from the Lotus team, this is a mostly American venture. The Tesla, which has a Lotus chassis, has certainly proved a hit in Tinseltown, with Hollywood legends queuing up to enjoy the thrills of a supercar that doesn't dent those precious green credentials. This is just the start, too. Tesla says there are cheaper models, including a four-door saloon, on the way.
Top speed: 125mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds
Price: £92,000
Range: 220 miles on a three-hour charge

Fisker Karma
Not a purely electric car, but rather something billed as a "plug-in hybrid", the Karma is the latest offering from US eco-car firm Fisker. Along with extravagant looks, it has some clever technology based aroud the "Q-Drive" system, which uses a small petrol engine to turn a generator and charge the batteries. With two driving modes, "stealth drive" and "sport drive", production is due to start in 2009.
Top speed: 125mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6 seconds
Price: £46,000
Range: 50 miles a day, emission free

Mullen GTEV
This is an electric version of the popular US GT by Mullen. Visually, it may not be to everyone's taste, but it does offer the longest range here, along with impressive performance statistics and all on just two 12-volt batteries. It's exactly the sort of car that could give electric cars a better name—if only Mullen wasn't a kit-car company. You'll pay your £60,000 ($100,000) and then have to build most of it yourself.
Top speed: 130mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds
Price: £60,000
Range: 350 miles

Electric Lightning GT
Aptly named, the Lightning is more supercar than milk float. The makers also boast a power output equivalent to a meaty 700bhp, which puts it into the terrifying category. And a price of £120,000 is equally terrifying. Based on the company's own limited production petrol version (now no longer produced) the Lightning GT promises to offer all the comforts and performance you expect in a luxury car, but without the noise or pollution.
Top speed: 130mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4 seconds
Price: £120,000
Range: 186 miles

Venturi Fetish
Widely recognised as the first serious electric supercar, the Fetish has all the style and glamour of many of its conventionally powered counterparts. And it will doubtless look just the part down in Monaco, where it is put together. With no lid, it isn't likely to be much fun on a damp English summer's day, but there are other factors that will prevent you getting soaked, namely the astronomical price and its limited production run of 25.
Top speed: 99 mph
Acceleration: 0-60 in under 5 seconds
Price: £235,000
Range: 155 miles

SSC Ultimate Aero EV
Shelby Super Cars (SSC) is keen to create a buzz with an electric version of its love-it or hate-it Aero supercar. Never one for understatement, founder Jerod Shelby claims SSC will do it "faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer." Having previously created the world's fastest production car, it would be churlish to discount him. The prototype will hit motor shows next year, with a production version expected to follow soon after.
Top speed: Faster than the rest
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in no time at all
Price: Silly money
Range: Who cares when it's this much fun?