Porsche confirms the new 718 Boxster and Cayman will be electric-only, with 2028 as their first full production year. “The 911 will never be electric”

Porsche has put the speculation to rest: the next-generation 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will be electric-only. The announcement came yesterday at the Capital Markets Day held at the Weissach development center, where the brand presented its "Sportwagenschmiede '35" strategy. According to Porsche, the two models are expected to support sales in 2028, their first full year of production.

The gasoline 718s went out of production in 2025. Talk of a combustion comeback has swirled ever since, but Porsche is dropping its plan to adapt the new architecture for combustion engines as well, Autocar reports.

"The 911 will never be electric"

On the same stage, CEO Michael Leiters, the former McLaren boss who joined Porsche in January, offered purists a guarantee: "I can assure you: the 911 will never be electric." Electrek isn't convinced, noting that "never" is a long time.

The battery sits behind the seats

The electric 718 doesn't carry its battery in the floor like most EVs. It sits behind the cabin, where the engine used to be. That keeps the seats low and brings the weight distribution close to a mid-engined car: 55.2% over the rear axle, versus 59.8% for the gasoline Boxster. The battery weighs around 450 kg and uses an 800-volt architecture, and the car is rear-wheel drive.

The rest of the plan

• A new compact SUV, gasoline and plug-in hybrid only, will be presented in 2028 and sold alongside the electric Macan.
• Porsche is developing a platform for a mid-engined super sports car that will sit above the 911.
• The 911 range gets more expensive special versions.
• The brand keeps all three powertrain types: combustion, plug-in hybrid and electric.

While Porsche rebalances its lineup toward combustion engines, EVs reached one in three new cars in Europe's major markets in September.