Car Makers Push Back on the All-Electric Future!
Just when you thought the future was set in stone – battery packs for everyone, petrol engines packed away in the museum – the car industry has thrown us a plot twist worthy of a Netflix series.
Porsche has just shocked enthusiasts by confirming the next-gen 718 Boxster and Cayman will not be EV-only after all. Yep, petrol power lives on, at least in the top trims. That’s right – just days after the brand was busy singing the EV gospel, the engineers are apparently sneaking a flat-six back into the engine bay like a cheeky kid hiding sweets before dinner.
And here’s me – I even made a video mourning the death of the 718 as we knew it. Wonder if Porsche were listening? (You’re welcome.)
The Porsche Pivot
The official line is that “market realities” forced this rethink. Translation: demand for pricey all-electric sports cars isn’t quite there yet. Porsche has admitted sales of exclusive EVs have slowed, margins are squeezed, and it simply can’t risk alienating its loyal enthusiast base.
So, the new Boxster and Cayman will arrive with petrol in the veins for the halo models, while the entry-level cars will likely move towards electric. The best of both worlds, or just kicking the EV can down the road? Depends which side of the charging cable you’re on.
BMW Says “Never Say Never” (Actually, Just “Never”)
Not to be outdone, BMW’s board member Jochen Goller made headlines by flat-out declaring:
“ICE and combustion will never disappear. Never.”
That’s a tough stance for a company that has invested billions in its Neue Klasse EV platform – but it also shows Munich is hedging its bets. BMW is rolling out a three-pronged strategy: pure EVs, multi-energy platforms, and pure ICE for entry-level markets. Flexibility is the name of the game.
Toyota’s Math Bombshell
Then we’ve got Akio Toyoda – never one to mince words. He claimed that Toyota’s 27 million hybrids have cut as much CO₂ as 9 million BEVs would have. In fact, in Japan – with its fossil-heavy grid – he reckons 9 million EVs would increase emissions.
That’s where the viral “one EV pollutes more than three hybrids” claim comes from. It’s not quite that simple (different markets, different grids), but his point stands: EVs aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and hybrids still have a huge role to play.
Volkswagen, Mercedes, and the Japanese Gang
- Volkswagen Group is taking a €6 billion hit after Porsche’s EV delays, and is quietly extending the life of combustion platforms across VW, Audi, and Porsche.
- Mercedes-Benz has scaled back its 100% EV targets, now talking up hybrids through the 2030s.
- Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru – all have pulled back EV spending, delayed launches, or doubled down on hybrids.
In other words: the entire industry is tapping the brakes on full electrification.
What It Means for Us
For you and me – the enthusiasts, buyers, and petrolheads – this is huge. It means:
- ICE isn’t dead yet, not by a long shot. Expect halo sports cars and premium ICE models for years to come.
- Hybrids and plug-in hybrids will become the bridge tech, giving people real-world efficiency without the range anxiety.
- EVs will still arrive – but slower, more selectively, and tailored to markets where they actually make sense.
The EV revolution hasn’t been cancelled. It’s just been delayed, detoured, and diluted.
No Curtain Call of Combustion Power
So, here we are: Porsche engineers whispering “don’t worry, petrol’s still here,” BMW declaring ICE immortal, and Toyota throwing math grenades into the EV debate.
The car industry isn’t rejecting electrification – but it is pushing back against the idea of an EV-only future. And honestly? That’s no bad thing. Choice, flexibility, and realism are what buyers actually need.
So tell me – do you see this pushback as common sense, or are car makers just dragging their heels? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – and if you’re like me, secretly smiling at the thought of another petrol Boxster howling its way to 9,000rpm, smash that like button too.
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