From Car and Driver · · 1m 20s
Lotus Evija: America's Illegal Hypercar
The most advanced electric sports car in the world is banned from U.S. roads.
In brief
The most advanced electric sports car in the world is banned from U.S. roads. The Lotus Evija, a 2012-hp electric hypercar, is illegal for street use in America despite its technical excellence. Originally reported by Car and Driver.
Quick answers
- What is the Lotus Evija?
- The Lotus Evija is a 2012-hp electric hypercar with four motors and 1257 pound-feet of torque.
- Why Is It Illegal?
- The Evija is not street legal in the U.S. due to its design and lack of required safety features.
- What is the key takeaway from Lotus Evija: America's Illegal Hypercar?
- The Lotus Evija, a 2012-hp electric hypercar, is illegal for street use in America despite its technical excellence.
What is the Lotus Evija?
The Lotus Evija is a 2012-hp electric hypercar with four motors and 1257 pound-feet of torque.
Performance Claims
The Evija reportedly achieves a 1.8-second 60 mph time and a top speed of 217 mph.
Pricing and Availability

The Evija's starting price is $2,400,000, with no street legal options in the United States.
Why Is It Illegal?
The Evija is not street legal in the U.S. due to its design and lack of required safety features.
Key Features
The Evija has a 195-mile range, 18-minute charging time, and no trunk or cargo space.
Competitors
The Evija competes with the Aston Martin Valhalla, Ferrari F80, and McLaren W1 in the hypercar market.
Warranty and Maintenance
The Evija comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty and no complimentary maintenance.
Why It Matters
The Evija's illegal status in the U.S. highlights the gap between cutting-edge EV technology and regulatory frameworks.
What Happens Next
The Evija remains a legal race car only, with no street-legal options for American drivers.
Here's the gist
The Lotus Evija, a 2012-hp electric hypercar, is illegal for street use in America despite its technical excellence.





