Porsche accelerates shift to electric vehicles as gas-powered models die off

Porsche is doubling down on its shift to EVs as gas-powered vehicles, like the Macan, are already being retired in Europe. With new electric vehicles launching, including the Macan, Boxster, Cayenne, and a range-topping seven-seater EV, Porsche is laying the groundwork for the future.

Porsche launched its first fully electric car, the Taycan, in 2019. By 2021, it was already Porsche’s best-selling model in Europe.

With nearly 42,300 Taycan’s sold in 2021, Porsche’s electric vehicle sales more than doubled. However, the luxury automaker has yet to top it ever since.

The upgraded 2025 Porsche Taycan was launched earlier this year with more range, performance, and faster charging. With deliveries of the new model ramping up with “extensive product upgrades,” Porsche hopes to turn things around.

Despite margins slipping in the first quarter, Porsche says things are looking up from here. CEO Oliver Blume says Porsche is in a “V-shaped” sales cycle with its youngest lineup in brand history.

Porsche is launching four new models this year, its most ever. In addition to the new Taycan, Porsche is launching new 911 and Panamera models. However, the most important will likely be the new Macan EV.

Porsche accelerates shift to EVs with new models

Porsche will begin delivering the new fully electric Macan in the second half of the year. After revealing the electric SUV in February, Blume boasted it already had 10,000 orders a month later.

In May, Porsche began Macan EV production at its upgraded Zeipig facility. After several delays due to software, customers will finally start receiving their new EVs later this year.

In an interview with Germany’s Automobilwoche, Porsche’s product manager Albrecht Reimold said the automaker “will achieve our goals as planned.” Reimbold said Porsche was building the last combustion engine generation of the Macan for Europe as it focuses on the electric model.

From mid-2026, Porsche will be “fully committed to the electric Macan” in Europe. Reimbold is convinced of the Macan’s success, with orders in the “five-digit range.”

However, when asked about the 80,000 Macan EV target, Reimbold said, “I do not measure success by a single number.”

News electric models and battery cell production coming

Although the battery cells in the Macan EV are supplied by CATL, Porsche plans to produce its own cells in Slovakia. Reimbold said Porsche is using it to build a “so-called functionally integrated battery.”

He explained that it will have several advantages, including a low weight. According to Reimbold, Porsche has finished the building and is in the “pre-series phase.”

Porsche will use the batteries for the first time in the electric Cayenne, which will be made in Slovakia. The electric Porsche Cayenne is expected to debut in 2026. It’s already been caught testing several times.

Before that, Porsche will launch an electric 718, which is expected to debut before the end of 2024. Porsche has already ended production of the Boxster and Cayman ICE models for Europe.

Porsche also plans to launch a range-topping seven-seater, “SUV K1.” Reimbold confirmed it will “round off our model range at the top” but didn’t give any more info.

With several new models planned over the next few years, Porsche wants to rejuvenate the brand for the future as it accelerates its shift to EVs.

Update 7/9/24: Porsche Taycan deliveries fell 51% in the first half of 2024 as the new 2025MY launches (read more about Porsche’s first-half performance).