Just two years ago, Bentley was dedicated to releasing five electric vehicles before the end of this decade, aspiring to transition into a fully electric brand by 2030. However, the deceleration in electric vehicle adoption this year has caused the company to reconsider these ambitions.
In a recent interview with Car and Driver, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser remarked that consumers in the luxury market still favor gasoline engines, whether as a standalone option or in conjunction with a plug-in hybrid system.
“What we see in the luxury market right now (is that) people reject electric cars,” Walliser, who assumed leadership at Bentley on July 1, conveyed to Car and Driver. “They consider luxury cars only with the combustion engine.”
Consequently, Bentley will decelerate the introduction of new electric vehicles and now aims to become a fully electric brand by the mid-2030s, moving away from the previous hard deadline.
Bentley remains committed to launching its first electric vehicle in late 2026, which Walliser confirmed would be in a new market segment. He noted that Bentley is too small to introduce both an electric vehicle and a gasoline-powered model within the same category, considering the limited returns.
Rather than completely replacing its existing lineup with electric vehicles, as initially intended, Bentley will now incorporate plug-in hybrid technology across its range, beginning with updates to the Continental GT and Flying Spur models.
Walliser mentioned in his discussion with Car and Driver that there may still be a market for vehicles powered solely by gasoline, particularly in the form of low-volume special editions or if carbon-neutral e-fuels gain traction.
While Bentley is moderating its electric vehicle aspirations, archrival Rolls-Royce is poised to continue with plans to launch an electric SUV and an electric sedan to complement its Spectre electric coupe. Aston Martin is also working on multiple EVs, although there are indications that these projects may face delays.
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