The first EV appeared in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, electric vehicles made up about a third of all cars. But in 1912, Henry Ford introduced the gasoline-powered Model T, and by 1935, EV sales trickled to a stop. However, over the past 30 years, increasing fuel prices and environmental concerns led to the evolution of the modern EV, but few expected them to be so fast. 

The 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air Dream P are two of the fastest production EVs. Here’s how they stack up.

How fast is the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid?

U.S. News rounded up “The Quickest Cars of 2022” and announced the Tesla Model S Plaid as the fastest production car, boasting its 1.99-second 0–60 mph time. Tesla reports that the Model S Plaid completes a quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds at 155 mph and achieves a top speed of 200 mph.

The Model S Plaid uses three electric motors generating a combined 1,020 hp delivered to the ground through an all-wheel-drive system. 

How does the Lucid Air Dream P compare?

In its first production year, Lucid delivers performance rivaling the Tesla Model S Plaid. The Lucid Air Dream P zooms from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 168 mph.

In addition, Lucid offers the Air Dream in two trims — Air Dream R and Air Dream P — where “R” stands for “range: and “P” means “Performance” with a capital “P.” The Air Dream P uses two electric motors with a combined 1,111 hp to power all four wheels. 

Is the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid a good buy?

If you consider only acceleration and top speed, it’s hard not to like the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid. The Plaid outperforms any stock production vehicle on paper and the track, including the Lucid Air Dream P. But most people who buy sports cars spend more time driving on the street than the track, and that’s where the Air Dream beats the Plaid. 

The 2022 Lucid Air Dream placed ahead of the Tesla Model S in U.S. News’ Best Luxury Cars for 2022 rankings primarily due to the Dream’s superior interior and best-in-class EPA-estimated range. In addition, compared to the futuristic, spartan Model S interior, the Air Dream offers considerably more luxury in the traditional sense. Finally, when comparing performance-trim driving ranges, the Air Dream P’s estimated 471-mile range beats out the Model S Plaid’s 396-mile estimate. 

However, the 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid wins the battle for the lowest price. Tesla’s internet pricing factors in potential savings on fuel and tax incentives, but the Plaid’s base price is $140,490. For comparison, Lucid lists the Air Dream P base price at $169,000 and would presumably offer the same fuel savings and tax incentives as the Tesla. 

The Model S received high marks for its front crash avoidance system from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Unfortunately, the IIHS hasn’t compiled any data for the Lucid Air Dream line because it’s new to the market. Finally, both vehicles’ reliability remains in question until more data comes in, but Tesla has a longer record for comparison.