Photo: Porsche
Porsche wants to produce the iconic 911 as an ICE model for as long as possible. This was the main reason the German carmaker insisted the European Union exempt cars running on synthetic e-fuels from the 2035 ICE ban. The 911 will be the only ICE model left standing as Porsche plans to gradually electrify its lineup by 2030.
Many of the problems the Volkswagen Group faces today in its electrification push can be attributed to Porsche's bets on synthetic e-fuels. After Porsche's boss Oliver Blume became Volkswagen Group's CEO in 2022, many EV plans were put on hold. This is why Audi's EV program has essentially stalled, while the Porsche Macan EV is years behind schedule. In the meantime, the aging MEB vehicle architecture share among different brands is the only one in production, although it's not doing great. Sales of the Porsche Taycan are also dwindling, and a replacement is still years away.
In light of these delays, it's no wonder that Blume is trying to keep the combustion-engine models running for as long as possible. His company has caused uproar in the European Union after forcing the redrafting of the EU's 2035 ICE ban to exempt cars running on synthetic e-fuels. Porsche is heavily invested in e-fuels, with a production facility in Chile that started production last December. Although Porsche claims that its e-fuels business is unrelated to the EV plans, it's not hard to connect the dots.
Despite these behind-the-scene moves, Porsche claims that switching to electric mobility will continue at full speed. Porsche wants electric vehicles to make up 80% of sales by 2030, after electrifying the Macan, followed by the 718 sportscar and the best-selling Cayenne. One model that won't ditch the combustion engine for an electric motor is the iconic 911. The Elfer will always have a combustion engine, as Porsche's Oliver Blume announced in 2020, before even dreaming of becoming the Volkswagen Group's CEO.
Thanks to the EU changing rules to allow combustion vehicles powered by synthetic fuels after 2035, the Porsche 911 is guaranteed to have a longer-than-expected career as an ICE model. This has been confirmed by Porsche e-fuels team leader Karl Dums. "Our strategy in the first place is switching to electric mobility and ... we will produce the 911 as long as possible with a combustion engine," Dums told Reuters. The 911 accounted for 13% of Porsche sales in 2022.
Porsche is not the only carmaker pushing for an EU e-fuels exemption, with Ferrari being another prominent promoter. In fact, it was Germany and Italy that forced the EU to amend the legislation to allow e-fuels to be used past 2035. Synthetic fuels are made from captured carbon dioxide and renewably-produced hydrogen, a process that its proponents claim makes it carbon neutral. Still, burning any fuel, including hydrogen, generates a wide range of harmful gases, including NOx.
Porsche, frankly, is in a predicament as the world turns to electrification. This is not only a solution for reducing pollution but a superior and more efficient form of transportation. Porsche's EV program is stuck in the past, and if the 80% of EV sales target is achieved by 2030, it will be 80% of very few sales. Its ICE models are already speeding on a road that leads nowhere as the world moves away from burning fuels.
In light of these delays, it's no wonder that Blume is trying to keep the combustion-engine models running for as long as possible. His company has caused uproar in the European Union after forcing the redrafting of the EU's 2035 ICE ban to exempt cars running on synthetic e-fuels. Porsche is heavily invested in e-fuels, with a production facility in Chile that started production last December. Although Porsche claims that its e-fuels business is unrelated to the EV plans, it's not hard to connect the dots.
Despite these behind-the-scene moves, Porsche claims that switching to electric mobility will continue at full speed. Porsche wants electric vehicles to make up 80% of sales by 2030, after electrifying the Macan, followed by the 718 sportscar and the best-selling Cayenne. One model that won't ditch the combustion engine for an electric motor is the iconic 911. The Elfer will always have a combustion engine, as Porsche's Oliver Blume announced in 2020, before even dreaming of becoming the Volkswagen Group's CEO.
Thanks to the EU changing rules to allow combustion vehicles powered by synthetic fuels after 2035, the Porsche 911 is guaranteed to have a longer-than-expected career as an ICE model. This has been confirmed by Porsche e-fuels team leader Karl Dums. "Our strategy in the first place is switching to electric mobility and ... we will produce the 911 as long as possible with a combustion engine," Dums told Reuters. The 911 accounted for 13% of Porsche sales in 2022.
Porsche is not the only carmaker pushing for an EU e-fuels exemption, with Ferrari being another prominent promoter. In fact, it was Germany and Italy that forced the EU to amend the legislation to allow e-fuels to be used past 2035. Synthetic fuels are made from captured carbon dioxide and renewably-produced hydrogen, a process that its proponents claim makes it carbon neutral. Still, burning any fuel, including hydrogen, generates a wide range of harmful gases, including NOx.
Porsche, frankly, is in a predicament as the world turns to electrification. This is not only a solution for reducing pollution but a superior and more efficient form of transportation. Porsche's EV program is stuck in the past, and if the 80% of EV sales target is achieved by 2030, it will be 80% of very few sales. Its ICE models are already speeding on a road that leads nowhere as the world moves away from burning fuels.
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