---
title: "718 Porsche Boxster, Cayman Will Go Electric in Early 2020s, Hybrids Possible: Report"
description: "A Porsche executive has reportedly admitted there to be an electric 718 prototype running around with a hybrid also in the works."
date: "2019-04-23"
modified: "2019-04-23"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/27612/718-porsche-boxster-cayman-will-go-electric-in-early-2020s-hybrids-possible-report"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Porsche News"
tags:
  - "718 Boxster"
  - "Convertible"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "porsche"
  - "sports car"
---

# 718 Porsche Boxster, Cayman Will Go Electric in Early 2020s, Hybrids Possible: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/02/fyeah718_970x546.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Porsche's entry-level 718 sports car twins, the Boxster and Cayman, will reportedly go electric in the early 2020s, but it won't yet mean a phaseout of their combustion-powered twins.

These electric 718s will be built on the Porsche PPE platform, claims [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2022-porsche-boxster-and-cayman-get-hybrid-and-ev-options>), adding that Porsche chose to re-platform the electric 718s because the current chassis can't accommodate batteries large enough to meet Porsche's goal of 186 miles (300 kilometers) of range. PPE is Porsche's new electric-only architecture and will be used for the Taycan sedan as well as its high-riding Cross Turismo derivative, the [electric Macan crossover](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26653/shocking-next-gen-porsche-macan-crossover-will-be-electric-only.md>), and even an Audi product, the E-Tron GT.

Electric, PPE-based Boxsters and Caymans are said to be coming by 2022, but this won't necessarily mean the current generation of cars will be retired by then. Porsche is reportedly considering a hybridization program for the current Boxster and Cayman, which would see the models sold in both mild and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) formats alongside the PPE-based electric models, akin to [similar plans rumored for the Macan](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26695/porsche-will-continue-producing-selling-current-macan-alongside-next-gen-ev-report.md>).

Hybrid drivetrains for these models would reportedly be based on a solution developed for the upcoming [992-generation 911 hybrid](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26832/porsche-911-hybrid-variant-and-electric-hypercar-wont-happen-until-tech-is-perfect.md>), and involve sliding a disc-shaped 48-volt electric motor between the 718's flat-four and a modified dual-clutch transmission. On the mild hybrid 718s, this motor would provide increased performance and efficiency but no electric-only driving mode, whereas the PHEV would have a battery large enough to drive on electric power for short trips.

Porsche chairman Oliver Blume allegedly confirmed the existence of electric 718 prototypes and a program that's building hybrid versions of the sports cars.

"We have prototypes of the 718 running in electric now, and a hybrid prototype is being built," Blume reportedly told *Autocar*. "If you look to the next generation of those cars it is possible, although it is not yet clear whether it would be plug-in hybrid or hybrid."

Porsche has insisted that [the iconic 911 will never be made into an electric-only model](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/19810/porsche-wont-be-making-a-fully-electric-911-says-ceo.md>) if it has its way, though Porsche hasn't counted out "electrified" hybrid models. Gasoline hardliners can take comfort in knowing that a hybrid 911 is still some time out and won't be launched until Porsche thinks it's good enough.

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)

## More

- [Porsche Cayman and Boxster Replacements Could Be Electric: Report](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29930/porsche-cayman-and-boxster-replacements-could-be-electric-report.md>)
- [Electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman Are Stuck in Development Hell: Report](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/electric-porsche-718-boxster-and-cayman-are-stuck-in-development-hell-report.md>)
- [Porsche’s Rumored Plan for Boxster, Cayman Signals Internal Combustion Will Soon Be a Luxury](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/porsches-rumored-plan-for-boxster-cayman-signals-internal-combustion-will-soon-be-a-luxury.md>)
- [Porsche Execs Say Boxster Version of Cayman GT4 RS ‘Is Possible’](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/44426/porsche-execs-says-boxster-version-of-cayman-gt4-rs-is-possible.md>)
- [New Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman EVs Might Be Killed Off by Development Hell](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-porsche-718-boxster-cayman-evs-might-be-killed-off-by-development-hell.md>)
- [2019 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman T: The No-Nonsense, Lightweight 2-Seater You Need](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25582/2019-porsche-718-boxster-and-cayman-t-the-no-nonsense-lightweight-2-seater-you-need.md>)
- [Next-Gen Porsche Boxster and Macan Could Still Get Gas Engines](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/next-gen-porsche-boxster-and-macan-could-still-get-gas-engines.md>)
- [2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Review: The Very Best of Now](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/41090/2021-porsche-718-boxster-gts-4-0-review-the-very-best-of-now.md>)