Bentley is showing how flexible and forward-thinking it can be by tweaking its all-electric vehicle plans and focusing on hybrid technology for the time being.
The luxury automaker initially planned to have a completely electric lineup by 2030,
but they're now adjusting to the ongoing demand for combustion engines from their high-end customers.
So, the first Bentley EV is going to make its debut in 2026, and it looks like they’re gearing up for an all-electric lineup by the mid-2030s.
Exciting times ahead! Bentley's careful but bold strategy lets it slowly shift towards electric vehicles while still staying true to its promise of quality and performance.
Bentley is shifting its strategy under the new leadership of Frank-Steffen Walliser, who has plenty of experience with Porsche.
Walliser points out that the luxury market has been a bit slow to embrace EV technology, more than what was anticipated.
“Right now in the luxury market, it seems like people are turning away from electric cars,” he said. “They only think about luxury cars that have a combustion engine.”
Bentley, unlike some other brands, can't offer both electric and gas-powered versions of the same vehicle in the same segment.
So, plug-in hybrids are considered a good temporary option. Also, Walliser is all in on sustainable e-fuels, which Porsche is already producing on a large scale in Chile.
“Hybrids aren’t just a cool new tech; they really work well for a lot of customers,” Walliser pointed out. “We really want to cut down on the-
CO2 footprint, and I truly believe that synthetics can play a big role in that by reducing the CO2 that goes into the cycle.”
Bentley is still on track with its electric goals, and the CEO has shared that we can expect to see their first EV unveiled in 2026, with a launch set for 2027.
This new model is going to be a great addition to Bentley’s lineup instead of taking the place of anything else, highlighting Bentley's innovative spirit and forward-thinking vibe.
Keep an eye out as Bentley keeps pushing the boundaries in the luxury market with its smart and flexible approach to a sustainable future.