Porsche ditches diesel to focus on electric

Porsche has confirmed it will no longer manufacturer diesel versions from its line-up.

The move to drop diesels comes as the luxury German brand announces plans to focus on electric and hybrid technologies.

Porsche has recently found itself caught up in the Europe-wide emissions scandal that engulfed its parent company, Volkswagen.

Diesel sales in the UK had already been suspended following the scandal and changes to emissions testing, and this – coupled with a fall in demand – means the vehicles won’t be returning.

Emerging Market

Along with the marque’s two SUVs – the Macan and the Cayenne – only Porsche’s Panamera model has been available with a diesel option on the UK market, with engines sourced from sister company, Audi.

Just 12% of Porsches sold worldwide last year were diesel, leading the manufacturer to conclude that its efforts are best saved for the emerging electric and hybrid markets.

Petrol-electric hybrids already make up two-thirds of Panamera sales in Europe, while Porsche recently announced that 2019 will see its first fully electric model, the Taycan, hit the market.

The German firm says it will have invested more than 6 billion euros into developing electric technology by 2022, as it looks to lead the way in the revolution of the sports EV market.

Important Technology

Porsche chief executive, Oliver Blume, said: “Porsche is not demonising diesel. It is, and will remain, an important propulsion technology. We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free. Naturally, we will continue to look after our existing diesel customers with the professionalism they expect.”