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If you have been following the Porsche 718 EV review space for any length of time, you already know this story has had more twists than most automakers see in a decade. Porsche stopped taking new orders for the gasoline 718 in September 2025, and production officially ended in October 2025. So right now, there is no 718 on sale anywhere in the world. What comes next is either one of the most exciting chapters in the Porsche electric sports car future or a cautionary tale about the limits of going all-in on electric too soon. Here is where things actually stand.

From Gas to Electric: The 718 Journey So Far

The Porsche 718 built its reputation the hard way. Mid-engine layout, near-perfect weight balance, sharp steering. For a lot of drivers in the USA, it was the sweet spot between an entry-level sports car and full 911 money.

Porsche officially announced the EV-only 718 successor in 2022, and outdoor testing began around the same time. Spy shots of camouflaged prototypes appeared regularly near the Nurburgring. The original plan was a 2025 launch. That did not happen.

The biggest setback came when Northvolt, Porsche's sole battery supplier for the 718, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US in November 2024. This was an unusually painful blow because Porsche had deliberately chosen Northvolt as its only supplier for this project. The compact sports car needed high-density cells in a very tight space, and Northvolt was considered the best fit. With that pipeline gone, finding a replacement was not a quick fix.

By early 2026, Bloomberg reported that new CEO Michael Leiters, who joined from McLaren on January 1, 2026, was considering canceling the electric 718 entirely. The reaction in the enthusiast community was swift and not exactly calm.

Then in March 2026, Porsche Australia's CEO, Daniel Schmollinger, told reporters he had personally driven the electric Boxster prototype. "We can't say yet when it's coming, but I had the chance to drive it, and it is actually amazing," he said, adding it felt "very go-kart-y" on track. Programs that get shelved do not usually get test drives from regional executives. The project is alive. The timeline is just unclear.

Design: What the Spy Shots Tell Us

The design of the electric Porsche 718 has been one of the most talked-about aspects of the whole transition. Spy shots of both the Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman EV prototypes give us a surprisingly clear picture of what Porsche has in store.

Exterior

Looking at the camouflaged prototypes, the 718 EV holds onto its identity. The low roofline and wide stance carry over. The rear end, though, tells the real story. No engine means no vents, no side intakes. The surface back there is smooth and clean in a way the gas car never was. The charging port sits centered in the rear bumper between redesigned taillights that pull styling cues from the new Cayenne.

Up front, Taycan-style LED headlights with active aerodynamic louvers appear on the test mules, though production versions will likely get a more distinct look.

Interior

The cabin moves to a dual-screen setup, one for the driver's display and one for infotainment. Expect Porsche's usual premium materials throughout. Leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber trim are all expected, keeping the cockpit feeling properly special. Tech features will include Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and over-the-air software updates.

Porsche 718 EV Review: Performance and Platform

Here is where the Porsche 718 EV specs and review conversation gets genuinely interesting. This is not a Taycan shrunken down and badged as a 718. The car rides on a heavily modified version of Porsche's PPE Sport architecture, the same platform being co-developed with Audi for the Concept C sports car. It was built specifically for sports car use, not adapted from a crossover or sedan base.

The battery uses a T-shaped layout, filling the center tunnel and the area directly behind the passenger seats. That placement is deliberate. It keeps the weight distribution close to what 718 drivers know, preserving the neutral handling and quick turn-in that make these cars so communicative to drive.

Expected performance breakdown by trim:

Range estimates sit in the 280 to 320-mile window, though Porsche has not officially confirmed any figures yet. Fast charging is supported at high speeds, making longer road trips genuinely manageable. Porsche is also expected to offer software-unlockable performance upgrades after purchase, a trick already proven on the Taycan. When you look at the full Porsche 718 EV specs and review picture, the engineering ambition here is hard to argue with.

Electric Porsche 718 Review: Competition and Where it Fits?

Any honest electric Porsche 718 review has to talk about the competition. USA buyers cross-shopping a performance EV in this price range will look at the BMW i4 M50 and the Audi e-tron GT. When you dig into the Porsche 718 EV specs and review details side by side with those of its rivals, the 718 EV makes a clear case for itself:

• Built as a sports car from the ground up, not converted from a sedan or crossover
• The T-shaped battery layout genuinely preserves sports car weight distribution
• Porsche's motorsport background shaped every part of the platform

The 718 also needs to stay in its lane relative to the 911. To keep that separation clear, the 911 will remain gasoline-powered for as long as regulations allow, supported by hybrid technology where needed. The 718 is now the clearest expression of the Porsche electric sports car future, while the 911 holds its ground as the brand's ICE flagship.

Worth noting for USA buyers: Porsche engineers are also reverse-engineering the PPE Sport platform to accept mid-mounted combustion engines. This means gas-powered versions of the next 718 are coming, though not until 2028 or 2029 at the earliest. The EV is still expected to arrive first.

Pricing: What Should USA Buyers Expect?

The base model is expected to start around $78,000 for USA buyers. GTS versions will push past $100,000. Load one up with options, and you are looking at $130,000 or more. No confirmed on-sale date exists as of mid-2026, but an early-2027 debut is the current working estimate. The Boxster EV is expected first, with the Porsche 718 Cayman EV arriving roughly a year later.

Conclusion

The Porsche 718 EV review picture is complicated right now, and anyone telling you otherwise is not paying close attention. Gas production ended in October 2025. The EV survived real cancellation pressure. A senior Porsche executive drove the prototype and called it amazing. But there is still no confirmed launch date, and real questions remain about exactly which version reaches US showrooms first. What is clear is that Porsche has spent years and serious money getting here. The Porsche electric sports car's future is not dead. It is just taking longer than anyone planned, and if early impressions from inside Porsche are anything to go by, it may well be worth the wait.

FAQs

When will the Porsche 718 EV go on sale in the USA? 

No confirmed date exists as of mid-2026. An early 2027 debut is the current best estimate, with the Boxster EV arriving before the Porsche 718 Cayman EV. Porsche has made no official announcement on US availability or final pricing timelines yet.

Is the Porsche 718 EV actually still being developed? 

Yes. Despite cancellation pressure in early 2026, Porsche Australia's CEO confirmed in March 2026 that he personally drove the prototype and called it "amazing." Development is ongoing, though the exact launch timeline remains unconfirmed by Porsche officially.

Will there be a gas-powered version of the next 718? 

Possibly, but not soon. Porsche engineers are reverse-engineering the platform to accept combustion engines, but gas variants are not expected before 2028 or 2029. The EV is still set to arrive first, making it the official face of the next-generation 718 lineup.