Frankfurt 2009: Electric Porsche?

While (now fellow division mate) Audi decides whether or not to go ahead with an electric-powered R8 Roadster, it appears as if Porsche is considering the possibility. The RUF Greenster Electric 911 has came out, as well as spy shots testing, but does that mean it's a possible go for production? Apparently so.

Here's what Porsche's new (Wiedeking is gone) CEO Michael Macht had to say:

"I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up," said Macht at the Porsche company's conference today in Frankfurt. He also said the current state of battery technology isn't "sufficient to meet Porsche's strict requirements," but that "our (Porsche's) engineers are already working hard on this challenge."

"An electric sports car would therefore only make sense for Porsche if it offers performance and a cruising range similar to that of current sports cars in the market," he said. "We are therefore taking the first step in this direction with a full hybrid – in the Cayenne, the Panamera and maybe in the not too distant future also in a racing car or a production 911. Why not?

First of all, not "sufficient to meet Porsche's standards"? What about the Tesla Roadster? Cutting through the PR speak though, it seems like the work is being done on one and that they're sorting out the numbers (probably financial). If it does work in their favor, you can expect an announcement that proclaims the new, electric 911 as the best thing ever. If there is one thing the Tesla Roadster cemented, it's that electric cars can be fun. I'm looking forward to hearing more about a new, electric 911.