Across Australia in a fully electric Porsche

WHEN dreaming up ways to publicise Porsche’s destination charging network and to demonstrate how easy it is to recharge a Porsche Taycan battery electric vehicle, what could be better than doing an outback road trip from Darwin to Bondi Beach?

Porsche Cars Australia recently enlisted the help of Porsche brand ambassador, former Formula One driver and endurance racing champion Mark Webber to prove the point on a 19-day jaunt.

For the journey, traversing red dirt country in the back of beyond, Mr Webber used a Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, a semi-off-road-capable shooting brake with dual electric motors providing all-wheel-drive traction to go with the height-adjustable suspension and body cladding in the recipe for a quasi-SUV performance car.

Porsche described the effort as a “ground breaking demonstration of Porsche electric performance”, after the dirt-focused Taycan successfully completed the journey across Australia, from Darwin to Bondi Beach, which the German manufacturer says reaffirms the power and viability of electric vehicles in long-distance travel.

The 5000-kilometre odyssey, according to Porsche, was an adventure that not only highlighted the Taycan’s battery range and versatile performance but also to the growing network of electric charging infrastructure that is “rapidly transforming the way we think about all-electric travel”.

Given the remoteness of the route, the expedition incorporated a vast array of charging options, from outback cattle stations to fast-charging stations and Porsche destination chargers.

But Porsche says the Darwin-Bondi Taycan, equipped with its cutting-edge battery technology, “showcased its remarkable endurance and efficiency as it navigated diverse terrains, off-road adventures and a range of weather conditions during the drive from the Northern Territory to the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney”.

The 420kW/650Nm electric test vehicle – that weighs 2245kg – was configured with the optional 22kW on-board charger which enables quicker AC charging times in remote locations. The 19-day journey included 27 recharging stops and a total of 85 hours spent recharging, which Porsche says was mostly completed overnight.

En route to Bondi, the car travelled through Nitmiluk National Park – home to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge – in the Northern Territory, then on to iconic country town Daly Waters and a successful ascent of the infamous Simpson Desert sand dune ‘Big Red’ in Queensland.

The road trip took a stopover at the heartland of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Bathurst’s Mount Panorama race track, followed by the convoluted roads of the Blue Mountains before heading towards the surf at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Porsche says that throughout the journey, the Taycan demonstrated the seamless integration electric vehicles can easily make into our everyday lives – or perhaps those with the means to own a Porsche – proving that electric road trips are not only feasible but also enjoyable. 

It also added that “the trip highlighted the importance of transportation choices in minimising the environmental impact of long-distance travel”.

The drive also draws attention to Porsche’s ambitious electrification strategy that includes a plethora of new electrified models including the incoming all-electric Macan medium SUV that Porsche says has reached the home straight of development and will be available to customers in 2024.

After that, the all-electric 718 sportscar range (currently comprising Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe) will be available followed by the all-electric Cayenne large SUV.

Porsche Cars Australia CEO and managing director Daniel Schmollinger said: "The technology in the all-electric Porsche Taycan has proven its performance capabilities under difficult conditions and, as the charging infrastructure further expands, electric vehicles are becoming more popular than ever, reshaping how Australians travel on their roads.

“Embracing the spirit of exploration, on this all-electric trip the Taycan Cross Turismo redefines the very essence of reduced impact adventure. The Taycan Cross Turismo offers a thrilling driving experience while exploring nature. This is how Porsche captures the hearts of Australians.”

In Australia, there are currently 165 Porsche destination chargers across 87 locations and the ultra-rapid (up to 350kW) DC chargers at Porsche dealerships are among the fastest available in Australia.