Bentley to go all-electric within a decade

Bentley has announced that by 2030 all its new cars will be pure battery electric vehicles.

The luxury car maker has said it will phase out combustion engines completely from its range within the decade as it looks to become a “global leader in sustainable luxury mobility”.

Ahead of that, it has two plug-in hybrid models planned for 2021 and says all its models will be electrified by 2026 - either through a hybrid or all-electric drivetrain.

Bentley is currently the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines, with its 6.0-litre W12 fitted to the Continental GT, Bentayga Speed and Flying Spur, and also uses V8s in several models. However, under its Beyond100 strategy, it is planning to phase out internal combustion engines entirely and become end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030.

(Photo: Bentley)

The Bentayga is already offered as a V6 plug-in hybrid and this is set to be joined by a hybrid Flying Spur next year along with one other hybrid model. By 2023 all four models in its current range will be available with a PHEV drivetrain and the petrol-only versions phased out three years later.

In 2025 it will release its first pure EV, which it says will be “cradle-to-grave” carbon neutral, and was hinted at by the EXP 100 GT concept car.

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Adrian Hallmark, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said: “Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA - the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leaders. Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.

“Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100 year old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”

Last year, Bentley’s production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in the UK to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust and its aim to turn the site “climate positive” by 2030, actively reducing levels of carbon in the atmosphere, while in the business invests in renewable energy and forestation projects.

(Photo: Bentley)