Bentley’s first electrical car will not debut till late 2026 and will not attain prospects till the next yr, CEO Adrian Hallmark mentioned on Tuesday whereas saying the corporate’s 2023 monetary outcomes.
It means the EV will arrive virtually two years later than what Bentley introduced in 2020, when plans for the car have been first introduced. Hallmark mentioned the delay was as a result of software program points and challenges in getting the car’s Volkswagen Group-sourced platform to satisfy the requirements Bentley requires.
Hallmark additionally mentioned Bentley will delay a earlier plan to promote solely EVs by 2030, as a result of altering market panorama. He mentioned Bentley will proceed to supply some plug-in hybrid fashions within the new decade, however just for the primary few years till they’re changed by EV successors.
Bentley is amongst a rising variety of automakers to delay EV plans as demand for the automobiles grows slower than anticipated.
Adrian Hallmark
Regardless of the delay in its EV plans, Bentley remains to be on monitor to change into a totally electrified model this decade. Bentley’s W-12 engine ends manufacturing in April, and CNBC reported that manufacturing of Bentley’s V-8 engine will proceed just for plug-in hybrid powertrains beginning in July or August.
Curiously, Hallmark has beforehand mentioned that Bentley is within the distinctive place the place an EV’s battery is definitely cheaper than the W-12, and that he cannot wait to alter to EVs.
The primary EV can be a brand new mannequin line for Bentley, whereas subsequent EVs can be redesigned model of present mannequin traces. The primary EV is regarded as a mannequin mixing sedan and crossover cues, and should find yourself much like the primary EV from fellow VW Group model Lamborghini. The electrical Lamborghini is due in 2028 and was previewed final yr by the Lanzador idea.
