Bentley Goes Electric: Future of Luxury Cars

Bentley Motors, the high-end automotive manufacturer operating as part of VW Group, intends to exclusively manufacture plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles beginning in 2026, with the ultimate goal of eliminating combustion engines entirely within the next ten years.

The company announced on Thursday that its complete vehicle range will be electric by 2030. This initiative, designated Beyond 100, is already in progress, with the British automaker confirming the release of two plug-in hybrid models in the coming year. The brand’s inaugural all-electric vehicle is scheduled for release in 2025.

The objective is to transform the company, historically recognized for its 12-cylinder, combustion engine-powered grand tourers, into a frontrunner in “sustainable luxury mobility,” as stated by the company. Bentley highlighted that it has already modernized its 80-year-old facility, which has earned the distinction of being the first U.K. factory to achieve carbon neutral certification from the Carbon Trust.

The Beyond 100 strategy will encompass all facets of the organization, ranging from the creation of its electrified vehicles and internal processes to its relationships with Tier 1 suppliers and its retail network, according to Bentley Motors Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark.

Bentley’s transition aligns with its parent company’s wider ambition to become a prominent producer and distributor of electric, connected vehicles. Volkswagen has established a target of selling approximately one million electric vehicles annually by 2025.

Bentley’s current plan builds upon its prior commitments to provide a hybrid version for each model line by 2023, as well as to enhance its overall operations. The company states that all suppliers will have undergone a sustainability audit, confirming their environmental responsibility, by the end of the year.

Bentley’s transformation extends beyond simply adopting electric powertrains. The company also seeks to establish “recession resilience,” a challenging aim that has begun with a reorganization and a reduction in its workforce by roughly 800 positions, including approximately 200 contractor roles. While Bentley had experienced substantial growth, it was impacted by the governmental restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, like many other automotive companies. Bentley reported on Thursday that its cost-reduction efforts and restructuring have positioned the company to “deliver a strong financial result for the entirety of 2020, despite the difficult external conditions.”