Porsche puts all-electric Mission E on fast track, hires 1,400 assembly line workers

By Bruce Brown July 26, 2016

Porsche Mission E – Tribute to Tomorrow

Now’s the time to start saving, because Porsche’s all-electric, luxury four-seater due by 2020 is on a fast track to production. Porsche confirmed it is bumping up plans to get to market and will be hiring about 1,400 people for the assembly line, 40 percent more than previously estimated, according to Electrek.

Porsche is part of the Volkswagen Group, along with VW and Audi. Volkswagen recently announced plans for more than 30 new models brand-wide by 2025, including 2 million to 3 million all-electric vehicles. The Mission E, Porsche’s first all-electric car, is one of the first of VW Group’s long-range e-cars.

Porsche has stated that the Mission E will have a range greater than 310 miles. Electrek assumes that, since Porsche is a German company, the range statement is likely based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) rating, not the more realistic EPA rating. For comparison, a Tesla Model S P90D has a 346 mile NEDC-rated range but a 294 mile EPA range.

The Mission E’s all-electric powertrain will consist of two electric motors, one each for the front and rear wheels. The 800-volt motor combination is expected to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Porsche says the system will be capable of getting an 80 percent charge in just 15 minutes. That’s assuming there are 800-volt charging stations available, which isn’t a given.

The gorgeous vehicle with four doors that open from the center of each side will have four separate seats. This design won Concept Car Design of the Year at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

Also in March, Porsche said Mission E production would create 1,000 new assembly line and paint shop jobs, but now that number has been raised to 1,400. It will be built at Porsche’s Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen factory, where Porsche has said preparations for the assembly line have already started.

No price has been announced for the Mission E, but you can bet it will be hefty.

Editors' Recommendations

Porsche’s all-electric Taycan is finally here, but what’s next?

Topics

Contributing Editor

Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.