Porsche Confirms All-Electric 718 for 2028, But Says 911 Will 'Never' Go Electric

Porsche has officially ended speculation about the future of its entry-level sports cars. During a recent investor strategy presentation covering its roadmap through 2035, the German automaker confirmed that the next generation of the 718—encompassing both the Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe—will be exclusively battery-powered. Production of the current gas models ceased in 2025, and the electric replacement is slated to begin its first full year of production in 2028.

The announcement puts to rest rumors that Porsche might reverse course and reintroduce a combustion engine for the model. According to details shared during a ride-along at Porsche’s Weissach test track, the engineering team has taken a unique approach to the electric 718’s chassis. Instead of placing the battery pack under the floor—a standard practice in most modern EVs—Porsche has mounted it behind the seats. This configuration mimics the mid-engine layout of the outgoing gas models, allowing for a lower seating position and a weight distribution that preserves the car’s agile handling characteristics rather than raising the driver high off the road.

While the confirmation of an electric 718 signals a shift toward electrification for Porsche’s sports car lineup, the company remains hesitant regarding its flagship model. CEO Michael Leiters stated during the presentation that the iconic 911 will ‘never’ be electric. This position comes despite the brand recently booking significant losses related to its EV strategy delays and a broader industry trend toward electrification.

However, history suggests that ‘never’ may be a premature declaration. The automotive landscape is shifting rapidly, with stringent emissions regulations in key markets like Europe, China, and parts of the US making the long-term viability of purely combustion-powered vehicles increasingly difficult. Furthermore, the rise of high-performance electric rivals—such as the Xiaomi SU7, which has already challenged Porsche on the track—demonstrates that electric powertrains are becoming dominant in performance metrics. As the industry moves forward, the pressure to electrify the 911 to maintain its competitive edge and sales volume may eventually outweigh the brand’s current resistance to changing its most famous model.