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British luxury car maker Bentley is just one of a number of manufacturers delaying plans to produce all-electric cars. Bad times for battery vehicles have forced Bentley to turn its attention to hybrid versions.
It seems that the sound of the V8 engine continues to be pleasant music for luxury vehicle buyers. Bentley abandons its ambitions to produce exclusively electric cars and decides to gradually switch to purely battery-powered vehicles.
The luxury car manufacturer plans to adopt hybrid technology as a medium-term strategic plan, as the company’s management recognizes that in the luxury segment, customers still prefer internal combustion engines.
In January 2020, the British marque announced that it will sell only plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles until 2026, with plans to switch to all-electric models by 2030. However, under the new leadership of Frank-Steffen Walliser (Porsche veteran and mastermind of the 918 Spyder hypercar), the brand is recalibrating its approach.
In a recent interview, Walliser acknowledged that adoption of EV technology has been slower than many in the industry expected. Unlike other brands, Bentley cannot afford to produce both electric and gasoline versions of the same vehicle in order to compete in the same segment.
Accordingly, the company sees plug-in hybrids as a viable transitional solution. In addition, Walliser supports the use of sustainable fuels, which Porsche already produces extensively at its plant in Chile.
Still, Bentley hasn’t completely given up on its electric dreams. The first all-electric Bentley will reportedly be unveiled in 2026, with its launch scheduled for 2027. Walliser also has an “ambition” for the brand to go fully electric by the middle of the next decade.
However, details about Bentley’s first electric model are limited. Walliser clarified that it will not replace an existing model in the company’s portfolio, but will be a completely new model in the Bentley vehicle family.
