Built in 1899, the La Jamais Contente was a bullet-shaped prototype powered by a pair of electric motors that zapped the rear wheels into motion. The electric sports car’s future looked bright but it was quickly overshadowed by models equipped with an internal combustion engine. Over 120 years later, electricity is again being glorified as the key that will unlock the next level of driving performance.

However, cars need more than a jaw-dropping 0-62mph time (which is reasonably easy to achieve with an electric powertrain) to qualify for the coveted performance label. Their ultra-quick acceleration must be repeatable without sending the powertrain into limp mode and they have to handle well in spite of lugging around a monstrous battery. Manufacturers involved in racing also need to ensure their EVs can handle abuse on the track.

All told, making an electric sports car is considerably more difficult than building one with cylinders. Here are the manufacturers conquering this challenge: