Bentley holds off on first EV to focus on hybrids

Luxury carmaker Bentley has announced that it will hold off on the launch of its first electric vehicle (EV) due to delays in the development of its platform, and will instead shift its focus to new plug-in hybrid models.

The brand’s first electric model was due to be released in 2025, but that date has now been pushed back to the following year, according to Bentley CEO, Adrian Hallmark, as reported by British publication Autocar.

As a result, the delay means Bentley’s subsequent EVs it had planned to launch every year up until 2030 – as outlined in its Beyond 100 plan – will also be pushed back to 2033.

Regarding production, Bentley’s first EV will be built in Crewe, United Kingdom, where construction is currently underway to accommodate the assembly of the brand’s new electric cars.

The yet-to-be-named model will be based on Volkswagen Group’s Premium Performance Electric (PPE) platform that underpins the new Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron, meaning we can expect a range figure of around 600km thanks to a 100kW battery.

However, technical issues saw delays in the PPE’s development, which is the reason Bentley decided to postpone the launch of its EV line-up.

For now, the luxury carmaker plans to release a new PHEV system featuring a V8 engine as a replacement for the now-dead W12. That means models such as the Continental and Flying Spur will be fitted with the electrified drivetrain over the next few years before the entire line-up is hybridised.