Porsche’s next-generation Boxster EV test car has been spotted charging at a Tesla Supercharger in California. Interest is also growing in detailed specifications such as the launch timing and charging method.

Electrek, an electric-vehicle outlet, reported on Sept. 22 that the vehicle was charging at a Tesla Supercharger installed at the parking lot of the DoubleTree hotel in Carson, California. The car was connected directly to NACS, the North American charging standard, without a separate adapter. Porsche EVs have been able to use Tesla Superchargers since September last year, and some recently launched EVs have NACS ports.

A particularly notable point in this test car is the location and configuration of the charging port. The port was located in the center of the rear. Porsche EVs generally use more than one charging port depending on the charging method, but this test car was seen with a single NACS port at the rear center.

This has led to speculation that Porsche may be considering integrating both AC and DC charging into NACS in the future. This is an estimate based on the test car, and it has not been confirmed whether the same configuration will be applied to a production model. Porsche currently uses NACS for DC fast charging and explains in official guidance that a NACS adapter can be used only for DC fast charging.

Camouflage elements remained on the exterior. Plastic cladding was applied to the front and rear, and tape was attached around the rear light bar and headlights. The vehicle had less camouflage than earlier test cars, making its shape easier to identify in more detail.

Porsche has expanded its electrified lineup by introducing EVs including the Taycan as well as the Macan and Cayenne, but the 718 Boxster and Cayman, its signature sports cars, remained internal-combustion models. After production of the 718 internal-combustion models ended in October last year, speculation continued about EV successor models. Porsche has said it plans to introduce the 718 Boxster and Cayman as pure EVs in the future.

There was also speculation at one point that development of the 718 EV could be halted, but Porsche CEO Michael Leiters (미하엘 라이터스) said in an interview in August that it would release the model. Leiters said the model was the best economic solution and would be an outstanding car. The 718 EV is expected to be developed by sharing a platform with Audi.

The 718 Boxster EV test car has recently been spotted repeatedly on public roads and at circuits. At the Nuerburgring, a vehicle with almost all camouflage removed was previously seen driving. With actual charging now also captured, it has again been confirmed that development is continuing.

The charging location is also drawing attention. The Tesla Supercharger is close to the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles. The facility has its own AC and DC chargers but does not have Tesla Superchargers. As the test car used the Tesla charging network there with two Porsche employees onboard, it has been suggested that it may have checked compatibility in a real charging environment. Porsche has not officially confirmed the purpose of the charging.

Porsche North America said the model remains under internal review and there is nothing announced about when and where it will be sold. As a result, the sighting alone cannot confirm the launch timing or final charging standard. Still, the image of the car charging by connecting directly to NACS at a Tesla Supercharger is notable for revealing specific development progress around the electric Boxster’s charging system.