German auto-manufacturer Porsche is planning on turning its 718 Roadster into a fully-electric vehicle (EV) by 2025.
The automaker announced that it wants to turn the Porsche 718 into an EV as part of its efforts to become a carbon neutral brand by 2030.
Porsche is also going to invest in premium EV charging stations of its own with its partners to further support its transition from internal-combustion-engine-based vehicles to EVs.
Details on Porsche's Decision
The automaker said that the electrification of its Porche 718 is one piece of the company's ambitious and recently expanded plans to electrify its automobile offerings. The company aims to have half of its car sales come from either all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Porsche also said it wants to make the share of all new vehicles with an all-electric drive reach more than 80% in 2030.
Out of the new cars that Porsche delivered in Europe, 40% of them were at plug-in hybrids or full-electric vehicles.
Why Porsche Chose the Porsche 718
Although Porsche did not specify why they chose the 718 to be the next vehicle to undergo electrification, a Tech Crunch article did mention that the company cannot achieve the new sales target with just the rising popularity of its first EV, the Taycan.
However, the combination of an all-electric Porsche Macan and the new 718 EV will help close that gap.
The EV version of the 718 will be the third one in the automaker's portfolio following the recent debut of its first EV, the Taycan, and the upcoming of the Macan, which is expected to be released late this year, per Tom's Guide.
Porsche also added that it is developing a special configuration for the EV version of the 718, which will also have an 800-volt system like the Taycan that enables the car to have one of the fastest charging speeds in the industry.
Porsche's New EV Charging Stations
Porsche mentioned that it would invest in premium charging stations in its charging infrastructure with its partners to help it become carbon neutral by 2030. The company also announced it is currently developing core technologies for its electrification, such as battery systems and module production.
"In the newly founded Cellforce Group, high-performance battery cells are being developed and produced that are expected to be ready for series production by 2024," according to Porsche's announcement.
A separate Tech Crunch article also added that the first of the company's charging locations would be built in high-demand areas in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria come 2023. However, Porsche didn't mention a specific date when its charging station would arrive in the previously mentioned countries.
The report also mentioned that the automaker wants its charging stations to have amenities similar to a lounge where customers could have a chance to take a break while their cars' battery recharges.
