The Macan is Porsche’s bestselling model, accounting for a third of the brand’s U.S. volume last year.
Porsche has focused on high-performance sports cars powered by gasoline engines but is accelerating a push into electric vehicles amid a race with luxury rivals to meet more stringent emissions laws in key markets such as China and Europe.
“The all-electric Macan will be the sportiest model in its segment,” Porsche R&D boss Michael Steiner said at a media roundtable.
The electric Macan follows the Taycan, a battery-electric sedan that has seen strong demand since launching in late 2019.
The crossover will be based on Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric, or PPE, architecture developed in collaboration with Audi. Like the Taycan, the electric Macan will use 800-volt technology.
It will offer greater driving range than the Taycan and will be available in multiple battery sizes globally, though those haven’t been disclosed. The U.S.-bound version is likely to be offered with just the largest option, given consumer preferences here.
The electric Macan, to be built in Leipzig, Germany, will feature new styling and could carry different branding from its combustion engine counterpart.
The automaker isn’t quite ready to ditch the combustion engine, however: A freshened gasoline-powered Macan is expected to arrive in U.S. stores in early 2022.
“Demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, but the pace of change varies considerably across the world,” Steiner said. “The updated combustion-engined Macan models will be offered alongside the all-electric Macan in the future to meet different customer demands.”
Beyond the Macan, Porsche could electrify its larger Cayenne crossover. And while an all-electric 911 has been ruled out, the automaker is considering a 718 EV concept.
A key challenge with two-door models is the effect the heavy lithium ion battery would have on vehicle weight and driving performance.