Porsche looks to a diesel-free future with six-billion-euro investment in hybrid tech

Porsche has announced that it is making a major investment that will fund a future that has no diesel reliance. That investment is over six billion euros and Porsche says that while it isn't demonizing the diesel engine, as a sports car maker the tech has a secondary role. Instead of diesel power, Porsche wants to invest in a big way into future hybrid power options.

The writing has been on the wall at Porsche for months, the sportscar maker hasn't had a diesel in its line since February of 2018. Porsche is going to show off its electric tech in the Taycan, a pure electric sports car set to hit the market next year. As that car rolls out, Porsche is also rolling out an ultra-fast charging infrastructure around Europe.

That charging infrastructure will allow electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to recharge and get back on the road faster. That charging network will use 800V tech and compatible cars will be able to recharge much faster than current 400V chargers that need 40-80 minutes for a full charge.

Hybrid tech certainly has a place in the sportscar market. The tech has been used to improve performance in many hypercars and makes them more efficient than using massive V12 or V8 engines. Many automakers are having to move to hybrid tech to meet increasing efficiency standards.

The Taycan is a slinky looking car that aims for 600hp and a 500km driving range on a full charge. The car is all-wheel drive and promises to hit 200 kmh in 12-seconds.

SOURCE: Porsche