The first electric car will be delayed until the end of 2026
Bentley, the renowned luxury car manufacturer, has announced a review of its electrification plans. The launch of the brand's first all-electric vehicle, originally scheduled for 2025, has now been delayed until late 2026 due to technical issues related to the software and platform.
In addition, Bentley's goal of becoming a 100% electric brand by 2030 has been pushed back to 2033. This timing revision will allow the company to invest more in plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in the coming years to ensure a smoother transition to an all-electric future.
Despite the delays, Bentley remains committed to electrification. The first electric car will be produced in the UK on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, developed jointly with Porsche and Audi. It is expected to have a range of 560-720 km and the ability to quickly charge up to 80% in less than 20 minutes.
Bentley is preparing a new high-performance V8 PHEV hybrid powertrain that will appear in the GT, GTC and Flying Spur models in late 2024. The Bentayga will retain petrol engines until 2026, after which it will become fully electric.
Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark admitted that the company expected demand for hybrids to decline towards the end of the decade, but now predicts it will rise. That's why Bentley is investing hundreds of millions in a new wave of PHEVs that will arrive in the early 2030s.