Germany's Porsche and Japan's Honda have both announced details of their latest electric SUVs this week as they pushed forward with their electrification strategies.
Porsche has launched its first all-electric SUV with the latest model in its Porsche Macan range, with the first units set to be delivered in the second half of the year.
“With the all-electric Macan, we are presenting the first Porsche that we are taking electric from an established product identity,” says Michael Mauer, Chief Designer at Porsche.
Prices will start at £69,800 ($89,900) for the Macan 4 and £95,000 ($121,000) for the Macan Turbo.
The 800-volt architecture of the PPE is designed to reduce charging time, and lower the weight of the high-voltage cables needed to charge. The 100 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged from 10pc to 80pc state of charge within 21 minutes at a suitable fast-charging station, Porsche says.
At 400-volt charging stations, the 800-volt battery is effectively charged as two batteries, each with a rated voltage of 400 volts, in theory enabling more efficient charging.
Porsche launched its electric sports car the Taycan in 2020. In 2023 sales rose 17pc on the year to 40,629, representing nearly 13pc of all Porsche vehicle sales.
Porsche plans to launch its all-electric 718 in the middle of the decade, followed by an all-electric Cayenne, and a further all-electric SUV positioned above the Cayenne.
The company says it has a goal of delivering more than 80 per cent of its new vehicles as all-electric models in 2030.
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Honda Prologue
Honda also announced this week that its first all-electric SUV the Prologue will begin arriving in Honda dealerships in March.
Prologue's 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is designed to recharge 65 miles of range in about 10 minutes, the firm says, adding that customers can select to have either home charging equipment or charging credits for networks.
The Prologue EX will start at $47,400 before the application of any government incentives or tax credits. Honda has not, however, disclosed the origin of the battery that its new platform will use, which will decide if the EV qualifies for subsidies in major auto markets like the US.
"The all-new Honda Prologue represents a major step in our electrification strategy, building on our record hybrid-electric vehicles sales to take us toward our vision of 100pc zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2040," said Lance Woelfer, Assistant Vice President of National Auto Sales at Honda.
But the Japanese OEM which managed just 0.66pc of of its worldwide sales being all-electric, and which has been often dubbed an EV laggard, is requiring a rapid ramp-up if it is to meet its stated target of reaching 30pc global BEV sale share by 2030.
Tom is an experienced business writer, specialised in the energy transition
Tom is passionate about Electric Vehicles and how Tesla, BYD, Rivian, Lucid and others are transforming automotive
