One of the world's leading supercar manufacturers has ordered dealers to stop selling one of its popular electric models over growing fears that the car could catch fire.

Porsche revealed that its first-generation Taycan has been taken off the market following concerns over potentially defective battery packs.

The German manufacturer wrote to its official used car dealers ordering them to immediately take a number of the affected Taycan models off sale.

It is understood that Porsche fears "a batch" of the high-end electric sports cars contains a fault within their battery packs.

The safety issue impacted the first-generation Taycan electric vehicle

A Porsche spokesperson said: "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."

Orders to halt sales last week are understood to relate to a previous recall issued in November by the DVSA.

The issue involved a potential short circuit within the Taycan's battery, which "could lead to thermal events and later to a fire in the vehicle". UK owners impacted by the latest fire safety issue have been sent letters detailing the problem.

The DVSA issued a recall of the Taycan vehicle to drivers last year

A letter seen by The Telegraph stated: "Cases have come to light in which a short circuit within the high-voltage battery has occurred ... subsequently causing the vehicle to catch fire."

Until a solution is made available, owners have been advised to take the cars to a local Porsche garage every 60 days for a three-hour inspection.

However, they can continue to use their Taycans before they are repaired, but are "urgently" asked to only charge the battery to a maximum of 80 per cent.

Drivers are also advised not to charge under a car cover or next to a building. Such limitations significantly hinder owners from charging the vehicles at home.

A DVSA spokesperson said: "There is an active safety recall on Porsche Taycans produced between 2019 and 2024 for which the manufacturer is in the final stages of developing a remedy. This involves concerns related to the vehicle's electrical propulsion system."

The letter, signed by Porsche's product and technical compliance manager, statedthat the manufacturer "very much regrets the circumstances".

The Taycan, which was Porsche's first mass-produced electric vehicle, has been subject to a dozen safety recalls in the past four years, including brake, suspension and welding defects. The model has been blighted by a string of safety malfunctions since its launch six years ago.

Global sales of the model plummeted 49 per cent last year, with the manufacturer blaming the slump on the Taycan's mid-cycle facelift and a slower-than-planned electric uptake.

The car has a luxury price point of roughly £200,000, making it one of the most expensive electric vehicles

In September 2023, a Taycan model reportedly burst into flames in the middle of a busy street in the city of Chongqing, China.

Porsche had previously said that zero emission cars would account for 80 per cent of its vehicle sales by the end of the decade, although these targets were altered last year.

Electric car fires in the UK have increased by 77 per cent between 2022 and 2024, figures from QBE Insurance suggest, with fire brigades being called out to 232 incidents last year.

Taycan models are among a string of high-end EVs that struggle to retain their value after rolling off the forecourt. Analysis from Parkers showed that a new Taycan S cost £186,300 in January last year, but some used models can now be bought for just £98,360, marking a 47 per cent drop in price.

Across the board, separate research revealed that a typical EV now retains only 49 per cent of its value after 24 months, compared with 70 per cent for diesel and petrol cars, according to Cox Automotive.