Porsche, in an unusual step, announced plans to develop its own network of electric vehicle charging stations. It also stated that by 2030, it hopes to sell 80 percent of its automobiles as electric vehicles.
The move was announced at the automaker’s annual meeting, along with ambitions to expand its EV range with an all-electric Macan compact SUV and 718 sports car.
Porsche EV owners are currently reliant on third-party charging services. The automaker, which sells the Porsche Taycan as well as several plug-in hybrid vehicles, has a collaboration with Ionity, an EV charging provider founded by Ford, BMW, Daimler, and Porsche parent firm Volkswagen. Porsche, on the other hand, has stated a desire to establish its own EV charging network, similar to Tesla’s Superchargers.
The chargers will be installed along high-traffic corridors in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, with the first installations scheduled by the end of the year. The Porsche-branded charging stations will be « exclusively for Porsche customers, » according to the business, and will complement Ionity’s charging network throughout Europe.
The investment in luxury charging stations is intended to enhance Porsche’s EV sales, which the company estimates would account for 80 percent of its sales by 2030. The company is also investing in battery manufacturing, which it expects will be ready for mass production by 2024.
Porsche views its charging stations as luxurious lounges where EV owners may sip a drink and unwind while their vehicles charge. Executives stated that they would consider expanding the network into China and the United States in the future.
In terms of the automaker’s planned EVs, Porsche has stated that its next-generation mid-engine 718 will be all electric. The Mission R, the automaker’s racer concept, will serve as inspiration for the 718. However, although the electric Macan crossover will be available shortly, the 718 EV will not be available until 2025.
