Bentley is rethinking its approach to electrification. Originally set to launch its first all-electric vehicle (EV) in 2025, Bentley has now postponed this milestone to 2026, with customer deliveries expected to start in 2027.
This adjustment is part of a broader shift in strategy that sees the automaker pushing its target to spend nearly $3.5 billion to transition to a fully electric lineup from 2030 to 2033.
The delay, as explained by Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark to Automotive News Europe, stems from a combination of technical hurdles, including software issues and platform-related concerns, particularly those encountered by Porsche and Audi during the development of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE).
This platform is crucial, as it underpins not only Bentley’s upcoming EVs, but also significant models from its Volkswagen Group siblings. Despite these setbacks, Bentley remains committed to its electrification goals, albeit with a revised timeline.
In the interim, Bentley is intensifying its focus on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This shift is not a deviation from its long-term electrification strategy, Hallmark explained, but rather to provide a smoother transition for its customers towards electrification, leveraging the increased demand for hybrid models as a bridge to its future all-electric offerings.
The company is preparing to launch a high-performance plug-in hybrid system centered around a V-8 engine. This hybrid powertrain will replace Bentley’s iconic W-12 engine.
