Frankfurt Motorshow 2009: Porsche to build electric car

Porsche was quick to prove that the rules had changed under the leadership of new parent Volkswagen. Porsche showed it is prepared to take bold steps into the relative unknown in an effort to prepare itself for a world of alternative fuels and electric cars. Speaking at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, Mr Macht confirmed the company was working on an electric car.

"I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up," he said. "Since this trend towards electric power is unstoppable, our engineers are already working hard on this challenge."

For an electric Porsche to come to reality, though, he emphasised battery technology would have to progress further. "Everything we have seen in this area has not yet been sufficient to meet our substantial demands, particularly when it comes to battery technology and charge cycles," said Mr Macht.

"An electric sports car would therefore only make sense for Porsche if it offers the performance and cruising range similar to that of current sports cars in the market."

As with other car makers, Porsche is working on hybrid technology as a stepping stone to a full electric car. Porsche will have a hybrid version of the Cayenne off-roader on sale in 2010 (there was a Cayenne Hybrid prototype on display at the Frankfurt motor show) closely followed by a hybrid version of the four-door, four-seat Panamera sports car. 

Rival Ferrari already has a prototype of its 599 fitted with a hybrid engine, something the brand hopes to have on sale in 2015. Mr Macht also said that Porsche could build a hybrid version of the 911.

"Why not?" he asked rhetorically.

The move to consider a hybrid version of the 911 demonstrates how much things have changed under the guidance of Volkswagen. Just a few months ago Porsche suggested the 911 was unlikely to go down the hybrid route.

Executives pointed out that the 911 lived by different rules to the rest of the Porsche family due to its heritage and legendary status in the sports car world. Porsche insiders are already suggesting the new Volkswagen ownership could be a boon for the proud engineering company, allowing it to take bolder risks and invest heavily in new technologies rather than push for instant profitability.

The underpinnings of the Cayenne off-roader - which Porsche credits for buoyancy during recently challenging economic times - was famously developed and paid for by Volkswagen before being used by Porsche.