By FREYA BARNES and ROB HULL
Porsche has paused sales of its popular electric car over concerns for battery fires.
Released in 2019, the Taycan quickly became one of the most popular luxury electric vehicles, but a string of safety malfunctions has somewhat marred its reputation.
Porsche last year issued a call back on first-generation models over fears of a 'short circuit within the battery modules during the vehicle's service' which 'could lead to thermal events and later to a fire in the vehicle'.
The safety recall notice, issued in conjunction with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in November, said this would be rectified with a free software update to monitor the battery condition at all times.
However, a 'small batch' of the earliest models remain in stock across Porsche's network of UK dealers, who have been told to pause their sales until the update in available later this month, it told This is Money.
The luxury car manufacturer's franchised dealers were issued an official bulletin from Porsche head office last month instructing them to take a number of the affected Taycan models off sale immediately, according to Car Dealer Magazine.
The Taycan model has been been subject to a dozen safety recalls in the past four years relating to brake, suspension and electronic defects.
Porsche has paused sales of some electric cars currently in its UK dealer network over concerns for battery fires as it awaits the availability of a software update
The sports car firm told us that 135 UK cars currently on sale are being held back from customer availability for the time being.
A Porsche spokesperson told us: 'Enhanced battery monitoring software is anticipated to become available for first generation Taycan models towards the end of June.
'With its imminent arrival, we’ve advised our retail partners not to sell a small, specific batch of first generation Taycan models until the software update is live.'
In total, some 7,916 UK models are said to be awaiting the software update.
For existing owners of these cars, drivers have already been contacted by the brand informing them to only charge their vehicle up to a maximum of 80 per cent - and have been invited to their local Porsche retailer for an inspection every 60 days until the update is available.
The new software is said to enable the vehicle to 'monitor and detect future battery module anomalies'. If an anomaly is detected, a warning message will be displayed to the diver and will automatically limit the maximum charging capacity to 80 per cent.
'The owner will then be advised to visit their Porsche Centre for further inspection,' Porsche told us.
For existing owners of these cars, drivers have already been contacted by the brand informing them to only charge their vehicle up to a maximum of 80%
In total, some 7,916 UK Taycan models are said to be awaiting the software update. 135 of these cars are with dealers who have been told to not make them available for sale
In September 2023, a Taycan burst into flames on the street in Chongqing, southwestern China, during heavy rush hour traffic
In May 2024, Porsche Taycan models Y1A, Y1B and Y1C for the year range 2019-2023 were recalled with manufacturers citing a risk of fire from the faulty batteries.
Another 40,000 Taycans were called back in May 2022 over concerns that drivers and passengers adjusting the front seats could damage a wiring harnesses and trigger the airbags.
And in July 2021, the supercar firm issued a recall for thousands of Taycans over faulty software that caused the £70,000 EV to suddenly shut down.
Electric car fires in the UK have went up by 77 per cent between 2022 and 2024, according to figures from QBE Insurance suggest, and fire brigades were called out to 232 incidents last year.
In September 2023, a Taycan burst into flames on the street in Chongqing, southwestern China, during heavy rush hour traffic.