Porsche’s decision to create all-electric versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman was bound to trigger some strong opinions among enthusiasts, but the controversy doesn’t stop there. Porsche’s ambitious EV project has already encountered a string of significant obstacles. Not only are they struggling to replicate the driving dynamics of the gas-powered models, but a new report reveals that the electric versions have been pushed back for a second time.

Read: Porsche Changes EV Plan, Will Give Electric Models ICE Powertrains Too

The original plan was to unveil the electric Boxster and Cayman in 2026, but Porsche’s CEO, Oliver Blume, recently admitted that the company is facing major difficulties sourcing the high-performance battery cells needed for these cars. A big part of the problem stems from the unexpected bankruptcy of Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt late last year, which has only complicated Porsche’s EV ambitions.

A Disrupted Timeline

European sales of the current 718 duo were abruptly cut off in mid-2024, thanks to a run-in with new cybersecurity regulations. While the cars are still available in other markets, including North America, Automobilwoche reports they will be discontinued by the end of 2025.

Porsche had originally planned to launch the electric versions in 2026, allowing them to seamlessly replace the internal combustion engine models. However, that timeline is now in disarray, meaning Porsche might face a gap of a year or more without any Boxster or Cayman in their lineup, with the new launch window now stretching into 2027.

More Battery Issues

Porsche 718 EV prototypes (Photos Baldauf)

This is far from the only battery-related issue Porsche is facing. In June 2021, it founded the Cellforce Group to develop and manufacture battery cells, establishing a site near Tubingen, Germany, but because of difficulties from competing with rivals from Asia, it’s unlikely Cellforce will get the outside investment needed to start production. As such, its “cells will likely never find their way into the sports cars from Zuffenhausen,” the German outlet reports.

To avoid putting all its eggs in one basket, Porsche took the step of acquiring a majority stake in Varta’s e-mobility battery unit back in March, hoping to secure a more reliable supply of high-performance cells. Still, it’s clear that these supply chain issues are adding unwanted complexity to the company’s EV transition.

A Delayed SUV and a Shift in Strategy

It’s not just the electric Boxster and Cayman that are impacted by the battery chaos. Porsche has spent several years working on a three-row electric SUV known internally as the K1. It was initially going to be launched in 2027, but has reportedly been delayed until the end of the decade.

Wolfburg Research analyst Fabio Hölscher believes Porsche may have overcommitted to its electrification plans too soon. “Porsche‘s original model portfolio plans are what currently amplifies these market-driven setbacks,” he told Auto News.

“Because the battery electric adoption is behind schedule, Porsche now has to develop additional combustion models on top of dealing with the costly delays in BEV ramp-up, as well as managing the weak situation in China and uncertainty around U.S. exports,” he added.

Porsche had initially set a goal for 50% of its sales to come from BEVs and PHEVs by 2025, with the aim of reaching 80% BEV sales by 2030. However, the company has since scaled back those targets and is working on new combustion powertrains. There’s even talk that the electric Boxster, Cayman, and K1 might eventually be designed to also accommodate internal combustion engines, just in case the market demands it.

Porsche brought electric power to its sports car lineup for the first time last year with the launch of the 911 GTS Hybrid, but that’s pretty mild compared with what’s about to happen to the 911’s Boxster and Cayman baby siblings. The two-seat coupe and roadster are ditching combustion technology altogether, and spy photographers have just snapped a couple of Cayman prototypes trialing their EV powertrains on and around the Nurburgring.

Related: Porsche 718 Cayman Electric Spied For First Time

Our scoop photo teams has spotted the Boxster several times before over the last couple of years and they snapped some grainy, long-lens pics of the Cayman on its first trip outdoors at the beginning of the year. But these fresh images are much sharper and show two cars with different wheel designs.

A Familiar Silhouette, Under New Power

Despite switching to an all-electric powertrain, the proportions of the new Cayman are very similar to those of today’s ICE-powered car. It still looks like a classic mid-engined junior supercar with a nose that dives towards the pavement and a sleek fastback tail. One of the great things about the ICE 718s is how practical they are thanks to having a trunk at either end, and we expect the EVs to carry on that tradition.

The set of pictures taken on the Nurburgring itself shows a small active spoiler at the base of the liftback hatch in a raised position. Directly below it in the center of the bumper is the charging flap for the battery that is mounted vertically behind the seats and will feature 800-volt tech. The nose features the same active cooling slats seen on the 911 GTS Hybrid and the disguise on the rear quarter window and lower quarter panel hides an upswept windowline and lower air intake, like on the Mission R concept.

Rear-Drive or All-Wheel Drive? You’ll Have Options

Images: Baldauf

Both single-motor, rear-wheel drive and dual-motor, all-wheel drive versions should be available when the Boxster and Cayman go on sale in 2026 as MY27 cars. Though the 911 has been available with AWD traction for 35 years, this will be the first time it’s been offered in the mid-engined, entry-level sports cars.

Porsche has partially put the brakes on its electrification plans due to slower-than-expected development of the electric market, and is extending the lifespan of combustion engines and re-engineering some still-secret new EVs to take ICE power. But the new 718 Boxster and Cayman were too far down the development path to be reconfigured with an ICE option in time for launch.

It’s possible Porsche could adapt them and introduce combustion options later, as Fiat is doing by turning its slow-selling 500e into a hybrid. Although global 718 sales were down in Q1, that was largely due to the car being dropped in Europe due to the same cybersecurity regulations that forced the demise of the old ICE Fiat 500. In the US, 718 sales almost doubled in the first three months of this year.

The Real Test: Handling Like a Porsche

Porsche is also reported to have been struggling to make the EV Cayman handle as well as the outgoing combustion car, a problem that might have led to pushing back the planned debut from 2025 to 2026 – and can only drive sales of the current 718. The automaker can’t afford to mess the handling up, because the Cayman Electric is going to face some stuff competition from the new Alpine A110 EV.

Images: Baldauf