Porsche is rethinking its electric vehicle (EV) lineup, with Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke revealing a plan to add combustion engines to some models previously meant to be electric-only.
This shift comes after a challenging year for Porsche’s EVs, which saw a 7% drop in global sales and a 29% decline in China, the world’s largest EV market.
Dialing Back Electric Ambitions
Porsche’s decision to bring gas engines into its lineup reflects a shift in its electric vehicle goals.
Earlier this year, Porsche lowered its target for making 80% of its lineup fully electric by 2030, citing slower-than-expected EV sales.
Meschke explained that many premium customers still want combustion-engine vehicles, leading Porsche to include new gas-engine options for models originally intended to be electric.
According to Drive, this might include Porsche’s upcoming seven-seat SUV, expected in 2027, which may launch as a hybrid.
Adjusting to Customer Trends
The shift comes as Porsche’s electric vehicles struggle to match early sales success.
While the Taycan was initially a hit, recent sales have stalled. Porsche has also released an electric version of the popular Macan SUV, and electric models of the 718 Boxster and Cayman are set for 2025. However, the last gas-powered Boxster and Cayman models produced this year might not be the final ones after all.
Porsche joins other luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo in shifting toward a mixed lineup of electric, hybrid, and gas options.
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, is following a similar strategy, offering different types of powertrains to suit various markets.
Hybrid Tech and Synthetic Fuels
The new plan includes hybrid versions of Porsche classics, such as the first hybrid 911, arriving in Australia in 2025.
Porsche will also update gas-engine models like the Panamera and Cayenne with plug-in hybrid options. The company is continuing to invest in synthetic fuel technology, aiming to keep its classic models in line with EU emissions standards.
