# Lotus Evija: America's Illegal Hypercar

> The most advanced electric sports car in the world is banned from U.S. roads.
- Title: Lotus Evija: America's Illegal Hypercar · Car and Driver
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: lotus evija, 2027 lotus evija, electric hypercar, 2012 hp, street legal, unstreet legal, us road legal, ev performance, hypercar market, ferrari f80, aston martin valhalla, Car and Driver
- Source: Car and Driver — https://caranddriver.com/lotus/evija-2027
- Published: 2026-11-06T17:28:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lotus evija, 2027 lotus evija, electric hypercar, 2012 hp, street legal, unstreet legal, us road legal, ev performance, hypercar market, ferrari f80, aston martin valhalla, cars
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The Lotus Evija, a 2012-hp electric hypercar, is illegal for street use in America despite its technical excellence.