Bentley was previously among the automated makers who enthusiastically announced plans to expect an electric band wagon. Five years ago, Creo promised to eliminate combustion engineers by the end of the decade. In fact, the attack took place in 2024, when former CEO Adren Halmark revealed that the company would continue to sell plugin hybrids ahead of 2030. At that time, only EV’s portfolio was likely to reach 2033.
After the appointment of Frank-Stephen Valerous as the CEO, this time, the goal was pushed back at 2035. Now, even in the middle of the next decade, it does not seem realistic. Bentley’s boss told Autocar High -end EV demands have not met the company’s original estimates.
‘The demand for luxury power vehicles is lacking, and consumer demand is not yet strong enough to support the All -Electric strategy. The luxury market is much different today when we announced more than 100 (told in November 2020). ‘
In the upper end of the market, the EV Optic, already expected, has already forced Porsche and Audi to stay with combustion engines for longer than planning. Since Bentley is deeply tied to the Volkswagen Group brands, it is also holding on snow. Angolistadt and Zofin House will continue to invest in gas engines, and will provide Bentley with access to the latest power train technology.
Photo from: Jeff Perez / Motor 1
As a result, cars like Continental GT, Flying Spurur, and Bentiaga SUV Plugin Hybrids and the usual mixture of upcoming EVs will maintain only driving from gas. Bentley’s first all -electric model was initially scheduled for 2025 but has been delayed in one year. It will be a slightly smaller SUV than Bentiaga, which is previewed by a foreign Express 15 concept.
Yet another VW group brand, Lamborghini, has also postponed his first EV. Lensdor was initially closed in 2028, but was brought to 2029 due to weakening expensive EV demand. When it arrives, the car may still have a combustion engine exhibition, as CEO Stephen Windelman has recently left the door open for a plug -in hybrid version of a four -seat grand tourist.
This backpaling highlighted how the market had withdrawn from the luxury brands that the market had imagined at the beginning of the decade. Nevertheless, the European Union still plans to ban the new sale of ice cars from 2035, causing automakers to be trapped between a rock and a hard place. The ban will be reviewed before the end of this year, which will offer a glow of hope that at least PHEV can be more legal than the current cut -off date.
