Porsche eBike Performance GmbH was founded in 2022 as a subsidiary of the sports car manufacturer Porsche AG. Since the announcement, the bike industry has been eagerly awaiting the sports car manufacturer's market entry. The Swabian company has now announced ambitious plans for the e-bike market. The company is planning to set up its own production facility for e-bike batteries in Croatia. Production is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026 and will coincide with the market launch of the first Porsche e-bike drive system. This announcement marks a significant step in Porsche's strategy to establish itself in the growing e-bike segment.
The decision in favour of the location in Croatia follows a series of strategic acquisitions and restructuring in the company's e-bike division. At the end of 2021, Porsche acquired the Rimac e-bike subsidiary Greyp, and in mid-2022 the Group took over the entire company. the young German e-bike drive manufacturer Fazua. In the same year, Porsche bundled its e-bike activities under the umbrella of Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, based in Ottobrunn near Munich. After initially focussing on the development of the first e-bike drive system, preparations for production are now underway.
Strategic choice of location in Croatia
The new battery production facility will be built in Sveta Nedelja, around 20 kilometres west of the Croatian capital Zagreb. With an area of 2000 square metres, the plant will be built in the immediate vicinity of the headquarters of the Croatian subsidiary Porsche eBike Performance d.o.o.. When choosing the location, Porsche placed particular emphasis on the proximity between development and production in order to ensure efficient co-operation.
Dr Alexander Wünsch, CFO of Porsche eBike Performance, emphasises the strategic importance of this decision:
We see enormous potential for innovation in battery technology. Comprehensive quality controls and reliability in production were the two main arguments in favour of our decision to bring battery production for the Porsche system largely in-house.
This statement underlines Porsche's endeavour as a high-end brand to directly control the quality and innovation of its e-bike components.
Production details and schedule
By the end of 2025, the existing building in Sveta Nedelja is to be remodelled and equipped with several highly automated, scalable production lines. Commissioning is planned for early 2026, at the same time as the market launch of the first Porsche e-bike drive system. This synchronisation of the start of production and market launch indicates a carefully planned strategy to quickly establish a presence on the market with its own products.
The batteries will be developed at the headquarters of the Croatian subsidiary in Zagreb, while production will take place in Sveta Nedelja. This close proximity should enable close coordination between the development and production teams and thus accelerate innovation cycles.
While battery production will be located in Croatia, Porsche eBike Performance is planning to manufacture the e-bike drive units in Germany. The drive unit, consisting of the motor and gearbox, is to be produced at a location in Germany yet to be determined. Here, too, the focus is on close integration of development and production.
It is not yet known whether drive production will be located near the Porsche eBike Performance headquarters in Ottobrunn near Munich. This decision is expected to be made in the coming months and could provide further insight into Porsche's long-term strategy in the e-bike segment.
Porsche's ambitions in the e-bike market
The announcement of its own battery production emphasises Porsche's ambition to establish itself as a serious player in the e-bike market. By controlling key components such as batteries and drives, the company is positioning itself as a supplier of high-end e-bike systems. This vertical integration could give Porsche a competitive advantage in terms of quality, innovation and performance.
The investment in its own production capacities also shows that Porsche is planning for the long term in this segment, regardless of the current lull in the bicycle and e-bike market, and is prepared to invest considerable resources in this area. With the combination of automotive expertise and the e-bike competences acquired through takeovers, Porsche is clearly striving to set new standards in e-bike technology.
The facts in brief
- Development site for batteries: Zagreb, Croatia
- Production site for batteries: Sveta Nedelja, Croatia
- Production area: 2000 square metres
- Planned start of production: early 2026
- Planned production site for drive units: Germany (exact location not yet determined)
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
