- Bentley has deserted its plan to solely promote EVs by 2030
- Bentley nonetheless plans to launch its first EV in late 2026
- Rivals Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce nonetheless anticipated to launch a number of EVs this decade
Bentley solely two years in the past was dedicated to launching 5 electrical automobiles this decade on the street to changing into a pure EV model as quickly as 2030. Nonetheless, the slowdown in EV progress this 12 months has the automaker rethinking these plans.
Talking with Automobile and Driver in an interview printed on Wednesday, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser mentioned patrons in luxurious segments nonetheless need gasoline engines, whether or not that is as a standalone powertrain or paired with a plug-in hybrid system.
“What we see within the luxurious market proper now (is that) folks reject electrical vehicles,” Walliser, who solely took over the reins at Bentley on July 1, informed Automobile and Driver. “They take into account luxurious vehicles solely with the combustion engine.”
Consequently, Bentley will decelerate the rollout of recent EVs and can solely aspire to changing into a full EV model by the mid-2030s, Walliser mentioned, versus setting the purpose as a tough goal.
Frank-Steffen Walliser
The automaker nonetheless plans to stay to its purpose of launching its first EV in late 2026, a automobile Walliser reaffirmed could be in a brand new section. He mentioned Bentley is simply too small to have the ability to provide each an EV and a mannequin with a gasoline engine in the identical section, as a result of restricted return on funding.
As a substitute of changing its present lineup with EVs, because the automaker had initially deliberate, Bentley will now introduce plug-in hybrid expertise throughout the vary, which it’s within the means of doing with its up to date Continental GT and Flying Spur fashions.
Walliser in his interview with Automobile and Driver mentioned there should be a spot for fashions powered purely by a gasoline engine, for instance in low-volume particular editions or if carbon-neutral e-fuels change into widespread.
Whereas Bentley is firming down its EV plans, archrival Rolls-Royce is predicted to press forward with the launch of an electrical SUV and electrical sedan to hitch its Spectre electrical coupe. Aston Martin additionally has a number of EVs on the drafting board, although the automaker has hinted that these could also be pushed again.
