People are competitive. Put two of them together, and they'll want to out-do each other at something.
That's why racing has been a part of human culture for so long - whether on foot, on horseback or with cars, the competitive nature of humans comes to the fore.
So while we're interested in the green aspects of electric vehicles, it's always nice to see them whupping internal combustion on the drag-strip, as demonstrated in this Stuntbusters video (via Autoblog Green).
Pitting Porsche 997 Carrera and Tesla Roadster side-by-side, the Tesla initially looks at a disadvantage, with a hundred horsepower deficit to Stuttgart's finest. What it does have is instantaneous torque and incredibly smooth power delivery, which helps it hook up better and get a massive jump on the 997.
Road cars are all very well, but of course we know both gasoline and electric drag strip vehicles also exist - Black Currant III has been holding up the electric standard pretty well recently. What happens when you pit cubes versus volts?
Step forward a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, with a 427ci big block V8. Can it beat a Shelby Daytona Coupe replica, using a 250 horsepower, 1,300 foot-pound electric motor?
The race is a lot closer, but despite having over double the power of the electric car, that doesn't help it get off the line, and the electric car wins again. Who said there was no replacement for displacement?...
Okay - so it's not the most scientific of tests, and neither presenter is a professional racing driver - but it's fun to watch, and shows that electric cars can be as much about the green light, as they can about being green.
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