Porsche Admits Move to Electric Vehicles Is Taking Longer Than Expected
Despite the new EV models, Porsche has become the latest automaker to realize that not everyone wants electric vehicles.
We know that the gasoline-powered 718 models are coming to an end. The next generation will be powered by electricity. And Porsche is going all-in with the Macan EV. As the best-selling model in the portfolio, the Macan is critical to the financial health of Porsche. And the company is betting big that buyers will snatch up Macan EVs as fast as they can make them. However, at the same time Porsche is now realizing what other manufacturers have already admitted. Not everyone wants electric vehicles.
As reported by Reuters, Porsche has recently announced that the transition to electric vehicles will take longer than it thought. Previously, Porsche stated that they wanted 80 percent of their sales to be all-electric by 2030. Now they are pulling back from that target, as EV sales have been softer than expected. Just a couple of weeks ago, we reported that Porsche was cutting Taycan production due to weaker EV demand.
Hell, the writing on the wall should have been all but obvious when the prototype Panamera broke the model’s own the Nurburgring record–as a V8 hybrid, not a pure EV.
So, the news that they are lowering their EV targets is not that surprising. “The transition to electric cars is taking longer than we thought five years ago,” Porsche said in a statement.
New EV Plan
Porsche didn’t announce any specific numbers around what their new EV targets are. They are simply saying that they could only reach that 80 percent goal if the demand was there to meet it. “Our product strategy is set up such that we could deliver over 80 percent of our vehicles as all electric in 2030 – dependent on customer demand and the development of electromobility.” The company strategy is there, but the demand isn’t.
I recently contacted a Porsche sales manager who told me that so far, he has received only one single order for the Macan EV. Of course, one dealership does not represent the entire country. And certainly, Macan EV demand in places like California is likely much higher. But still, you would expect more demand than a single order for the top-selling Porsche model.
EV Demand
There is no question that there are plenty of people out there that are eagerly awaiting the arrival of new Porsche electric vehicles. The issue for Porsche is that there are just as many that wish Porsche never made an electric vehicle. Converting those that have no interest in an EV is not going to be easy.
It is going to be especially tough for a brand like Porsche that built a reputation on building some of the most exciting cars in the world. EVs can be blindingly quick. However, a 1978 – 1983 911 SC has more personality in one Fuchs wheel than an entire Taycan. Performance wise the Taycan would mop the floor with the SC, but that doesn’t matter to a lot of Porsche people.
Look at the prices of manual transmission and naturally aspirated Porsche 911 models. People are snapping them up because they are fantastic, and the end of the line. The threat is that these cars will cease to be available soon. And Porsche owners are willing to pay handsomely to have that old school internal combustion experience.
The Future
We can’t predict the future, so we don’t know what the 2030 Porsche model lineup is going to look like. Will the GT cars still be normally aspirated? Probably not. But it seems like Porsche has realized that they need to keep offering some sort of internal combustion powered vehicles for the foreseeable future.
Having a choice between ICE cars and EVs is great for everyone. Manufacturers and lawmakers have been rushing to force everyone into an electric vehicle. And the reality of doing that is starting to sink in. Not everyone is going to happily give up the gasoline experience. Especially when they are shopping for an emotional and engaging sports car.
Photos: Porsche
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