During the announcement of Bentley’s 2023 financial results, CEO Adrian Hallmark disclosed that the luxury automaker’s first electric vehicle (EV) won’t make its debut until late 2026, with deliveries slated for the following year. This marks a delay of almost two years from Bentley’s initial announcement in 2020.
Hallmark attributed the delay to software challenges and difficulties in aligning the vehicle’s Volkswagen Group-sourced platform with Bentley’s stringent standards.
Additionally, Bentley will adjust its previous plan to exclusively sell EVs by 2030, citing shifts in the market landscape. While Bentley will continue offering some plug-in hybrid models in the new decade, they will gradually be replaced by EV successors.
Despite the setback in its EV timeline, Bentley remains committed to transitioning into a fully electrified brand within this decade. Production of Bentley’s W-12 engine is scheduled to cease in April, with reports indicating that production of the V-8 engine will only continue for plug-in hybrid powertrains starting from July or August.
Interestingly, Hallmark highlighted Bentley’s unique position where the cost of an EV battery is lower than that of the W-12 engine. He expressed eagerness for the transition to EVs.
The upcoming EV will introduce a new model line for Bentley, with subsequent EVs expected to be redesigned versions of existing model lines. Speculation suggests that the first EV will blend sedan and crossover features, resembling Lamborghini’s anticipated electric model, which was previewed by the Lanzador concept and is set for release in 2028.