Porsche Eyes Electric Sports Car

Credit it to the Tesla effect, perhaps, but Porsche AG is the latest mainstream auto maker to declare its interest in developing a high-performance electric-powered sports car.

Stuttgart competitor Daimler AG earlier this year said it was intrigued by the concept when it agreed to take a 10% stake in Tesla Motors Inc. and work with the California-based upstart on future electric vehicles.

Speaking for the first time publicly at the Frankfurt auto show, new CEO Michael Macht cautions that more advancements are needed in battery technology but says his engineers are “already working hard” on an EV that would carry the Porsche DNA.

“I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its lineup,” Macht says.

He points to the new hybrid Cayenne model, saying, “Maybe in the not too distant future (the same technology could be seen) in a racing car or a production 911. Why not?”

Macht says an electric sports car only would make sense for Porsche “if it offers performance and cruising range similar to that of current sports cars in the market.”

Today’s battery technology is not “sufficient to meet Porsche’s strict requirements,” he adds.