Porsche has become the latest manufacturer to adjust its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, as it’ll now look to redevelop upcoming electric-only models to incorporate internal combustion alternatives.
The German marque has previously outlined plans for EVs to make up 80 per cent of its sales by 2030, with the other 20 per cent to be headlined by the 911.
While the flagship sports car has gone hybrid for the first time in its 60-year history, it isn’t set to go fully electric until the 2030s, with Porsche’s EV takeover instead headlined by the Taycan sedan and Macan SUV, as well as the upcoming battery-powered 718 Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne models.
However, Carscoops reports Porsche is looking into how it could re-engineer future cars developed as EVs to accommodate hybrid powertrains – a task which would take a lot of effort, money, and time depending on how far along development on any given model had progressed.
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Macan EV
The publication reports the newly launched Macan and upcoming 718 EV twins may not be able to accept alternative combustion power within the next few years, due to how far down the path of development they are.
Instead, it claims a logical candidate for both powertrains would be the high-tech luxury seven-seater Porsche is reportedly developing, codenamed K1.
Due to launch in 2028, the relatively late launch of Porsche’s K1 would provide the German manufacturer more time and capacity to develop a hybrid version by the end of the decade, potentially launching after the EV.
If the brand wanted to make such a switch, Porsche CFO Lutz Metschke says production is currently flexible enough to be able to produce multiple different powertrains within the same facility.
“As for our electrified lineup, we are very flexible when it comes to our production footprint. We can produce combustion engine, plug-in hybrids and electrified cars in one production line in Leipzig,” Mr Metschke said, as reported by Carscoops.
Taycan Sport Turismo
“When it comes to research and development, you’ll see more flexibility in the upcoming years. We will develop new combustion-engined derivatives in order to give the right answer to customer demand.”
Mr Metschke says Porsche will continue to react to what customers want from their luxury cars, while also keeping its current models up-to-date.
“A lot of customers in the premium and luxury segment are looking in the direction of combustion-engined cars, there’s a clear trend,” he said.
“We will refresh our combustion engine cars, including the Panamera and the Cayenne, and of course, we will continue to rely on plug-in hybrids.”
Facelifted Cayenne spied
The Taycan, Porsche’s first EV, has experienced a 50 per cent decline in global deliveries for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
The European Union has previously proposed a ban on combustion engines by 2035, though the vote to decide on the legislation was delayed last year following pushback from Germany.
Earlier this year, the peak body for Europe’s carmakers said it wouldn’t push back against the proposed ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035.
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