It’s been known for some time that Porsche will electrify its range almost entirely over the decade. By 2030, the company aims for 80% of its sales to correspond to zero-emission models, an ambitious goal if we take into account that it currently only has a single car of this type in its offer, the Taycan.
The first Porsche models to be electrified will be the Macan and 718 (Cayman/Boxster), whose new generations will be launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively. An electric Panamera and a larger-than-Cayenne crossover are also expected by mid-decade, which shouldn’t take too long to follow in its siblings’ footsteps.
The last thermal model to remain in the German manufacturer’s range will be the legendary 911, a 2+2 sports car that has been in continuous production since 1964. Although on several occasions Porsche has confirmed that the 911 will take time to become electrified due to its marked personality (it has the engine hanging from the rear axle, which gives it a very characteristic silhouette and behavior), the rapid evolution of sales of electric cars would have prompted the company to speed up its plans.
The current 911 (992 generation) is scheduled to receive a plug-in hybrid variant in 2024, while its replacement (994 generation) will arrive in 2026 with the same platform but a revised mechanical offering (it will be available as a 48-volt mild-hybrid and hybrid). plug-in, but always maintaining its perennial six-cylinder boxer engine). In addition, in some markets such as Germany, Porsche will offer synthetic fuels (fuels) to make it more sustainable.
The 911 could be the first Porsche with solid electrolyte batteries
The real revolution will come in 2028, as Porsche is preparing a second 911 that will coexist with the 994: the 998, which will be 100% electric. Although both will have the same commercial name, they will not share any part, as they will be independent developments and will use completely different platforms.
Although both will be sold in parallel for a few years, it is expected that the 994 will end up being the last 911 with internal combustion engines, with the 998 being in charge of continuing this illustrious lineage. Preliminary information indicates that it will have solid electrolyte batteries (probably from QuantumScape), which will provide ample autonomy, as well as a 1,000-volt electrical system that will allow it to go from 5 to 80% charge in six minutes.
Although it is not yet known which platform it will use, given its approach it seems unlikely that it will make use of a widely used architecture such as PPE or SSP. Although we should not rule out adopting the 718 electric one, we cannot lose sight of the fact that this model will have its batteries located behind the seats, something impossible to implement in the 911 because it would lose its rear seats.
Since the 911 is a low car, the pack cannot be installed under the floor either. The person in charge of R&D at Porsche, Michael Steiner, came to theorize in an interview about the possibility of using T-shaped batteries (under the rear seats and in the central tunnel). In any case, we can expect Rimac to actively collaborate in its development, as Porsche owns a 24% stake in the Croatian hypercar manufacturer; furthermore, both brands share ownership of Bugatti (55% Rimac, 45% Porsche).
