These motors give the SLS AMG E-cell an amazing 526 horsepower, just about 40 less than the gasoline-powered version, and allow it to slam into 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just four seconds.

The SLS AMG E-cell has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 miles per hour. The car accelerates to this peak quickly and maintains it easily without a peep, filling the inside of the cabin with a surreal kind of amazed silence as it rockets down the road.

The SLS offers a regenerative braking system that helps to recuperate some of the battery's power even while on the go.

There are three driving modes, comfort, sport, and sport plus. In the comfort setting, useful for cruising, 40 percent of the car's power is used. At this setting, the car drives like a monster in a cage – cautious and contained.

In the sport setting the power and torque are kicked up a little and 60 percent of the engines' capacity is used. In the highest setting, sport plus, the throttle becomes extremely aggressive and every single horsepower available is put to the test.

With the amazing specs of this cutting edge, all-electric model, Mercedes has proven that performance does not have to come at the cost of pollution. Although it takes effort, even the biggest and most luxurious car manufacturers can incorporate electric cars into their line-up.

They just have to want to. And in this era where we are rapidly approaching the out-dating of conventional fossil fuels, models like these are essential if the notorious performance giants want to stay relevant.

When Mercedes decides on a course of action, you can be sure they will do their best to excel in that course of action. This has been true ever since their very first significant contribution to the world of fast luxury cars - the SSK racing car, back in 1928 - and it is true about their latest push toward a greener, more environmentally-friendly automobile market.

As part of their socially-aware drive to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, Mercedes recently announced a program dubbed "AMG Performance 2015." Remember that AMG is the Mercedes subsidiary that specializes in luxury cars on the cutting edge of high performance.

Mercedes AMGs are usually faster, smarter, cooler, and generally more awesome than the rest of the Mercedes fleet. When Mercedes makes changes to their AMG line, they mean business.

That's why this recent announcement came as quite a surprise. The "AMG Performance 2015" program has as one of its principal aims to cut down on the emissions and fuel usage of Mercedes' AMG models, while still working toward increasing their performance.

Mercedes spokespersons stated that the company believes that, as one of the leading brands in luxury automobiles, they have a social responsibility to work toward building cars that are cleaner and greener.