Summary
- Bentley has pushed its timeline for going all electric to 2035
- The automaker’s first EV will be an SUV arriving in 2027
- Bentley will continue to offer PHEVs until 2035 while keeping BEVs as separate products
- The new EVs will not share platforms with existing models
- Bentley plans to introduce a new plug-in hybrid or all-electric model every year and transition to selling only electric cars by 2035
Article
Bentley has announced a new timeline for its transition to an all-electric lineup by 2035. The automaker had previously planned to introduce five EVs over five years starting in 2025, leading to an all-EV lineup by 2030. However, the first electric model’s launch has been pushed back to 2026, with a market launch expected in 2027. The first all-electric model will be a luxury urban SUV that will not replace any existing Bentley models, with future EVs not sharing platforms with combustion or plug-in hybrid models due to packaging disadvantages.
The new electric models from Bentley are expected to offer fast charging speeds and sufficient range, with a focus on total travel time. Engineers are also working on a new approach to sound for the EVs, promising a unique experience not available from any other EV maker. Bentley plans to introduce a new plug-in hybrid or all-electric model annually until switching to selling only electric cars by 2035. Plug-in hybrids will remain in the lineup until that point to meet emissions regulations and cater to customers who may not have a strong demand for EVs yet.
Legislation and competition from other automakers are driving Bentley’s electrification efforts, with weak demand for EVs among current Bentley customers. However, the automaker sees an opportunity to attract new customers looking for a more modern interpretation of a Bentley and believes existing customers can be won over once they experience driving an EV. Bentley currently offers plug-in hybrid versions of every model, and while plans to eliminate standalone combustion powertrains were announced in 2020, there may still be non-hybrid versions of models in the pipeline.
Bentley’s push towards an all-electric lineup by 2035 aligns with anticipated battery technology developments and growth in charging infrastructure, which are expected to create better conditions for EVs by that time. This alignment increases the likelihood of Bentley successfully transitioning to an all-electric lineup after discussing the plan for a decade. New EV models from Bentley will be introduced every year until 2035, with plug-in hybrids remaining in the lineup to cater to different customer preferences until demand for EVs increases.
In a recent interview, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser emphasized the importance of legislation and competition in driving the automaker’s electrification efforts. He acknowledged that while there may not be strong demand among current Bentley customers for EVs, there is a potential for attracting new customers who desire a modern interpretation of Bentley vehicles. The automaker’s commitment to introducing new electric models annually and gradually phasing out combustion powertrains aligns with its vision for full electrification by 2035, with flexibility to adjust plans based on market demand and technological developments. Bentley’s bold transition to all-electric models reflects a strategic response to evolving industry trends and regulatory requirements, setting the stage for a new era of luxury electric vehicles from the prestigious automaker.
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