Electric SSC Ultimate Aero EV supercar planned

SSC, the American car maker behind the 256mph SSC Ultimate Aero TT (pictured), has revealed plans to build the world’s first electric supercar – the SSC Ultimate Aero EV.

The SSC Ultimate Aero EV (electric vehicle) will be powered by an electric motor producing the equivalent of 500bhp which it claims will ‘feature a revolutionary power source allowing for extended time between charging intervals with the possibility of several years between charging.’

The SSC Ultimate Aero EV would offer supercar performance and no carbon emissions.

View our slide show of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT

The only electric car on the market which boasts sports car performance at the moment is the Tesla Roadster.

Building an electric car which can drive for long periods without charge has been an issue for manufacturers.

The Tesla Roadster – which is built in relationship with Lotus – will accelerate from 0-62mph (100kph) in 3.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 130mph with a full charge lasting about 200 miles.

While Koenigsegg is building a 1,000bhp CCXR model which runs on biofuel, the only eco-friendly feature the Swedish hypercar boasts is in the carbon neutral production of its fuel.

SSC (Shelby Super Cars) hit the headlines last year when its 1,183bhp SSC Ultimate Aero TT broke the Bugatti Veyron’s record as the world’s fastest production car, averaging 256mph.

On the Ultimate Aero EV, SSC’s founder Jerod Shelby said: “I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer.”

There are no performance figures available but with the Tesla producing the equivalent of 245bhp, we’d anticipate the SSC capable of hitting 62mph in 3 seconds and boasting a top speed in excess of 180mph.

The American car maker is also exploring the potential of using two electric powerplants to produce a 1,000bhp Aero EV, in rear and four-wheel drive.

SSC expects to roll out its first prototype in February 2009 with full production beginning in the final quarter of that year.

Video: Watch the SSC Ultimate Aero TT hit 256mph