It will be followed by four more EVs
Bentley, a luxury brand known for its formidable twin-turbo V8 and W12 engines, has confirmed that it will launch its first-ever battery electric vehicle in 2025. The move, according to the automaker, is a “critical step” in its Beyond100 strategy in which it aims to be carbon-neutral by switching its entire model range to offer full electric vehicles only by 2030.
Bentley said it would invest a total of £2.5 billion (approximately RM14 billion) over the next ten years to help realise this target. A large chunk of the investment would most likely go towards transforming its Crewe factory to become carbon neutral as well as the adoption of digital technology which will be used to improve craftsmanship, customer interaction and employee experience.
Details regarding the EV are scarce for now, but reports suggest that it could be an SUV based on Volkswagen Group’s high-tech Artemis architecture, which is currently being developed by a team led by Audi engineers.
The electric SUV will be the first of five EVs to be launched by Bentley each year from 2025, as stated in the automaker’s Five-in-Five plan. Exciting times ahead, indeed.
PRESS RELEASE
Bentley’s first-ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) will be developed and built in the UK with the company committing to investing £2.5 billion in sustainability over the next ten years. The announcement is a major boost for the UK economy and also helps secure Bentley’s first step into electrification at the production plant, where all Bentley models are built and 4,000 colleagues work.
The first BEV is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2025 and will mark a significant moment in Bentley’s long and illustrious history. It is also a critical step in the company’s Beyond100 strategy – the ground-breaking plan launched in 2020 that will ensure Bentley is exclusively electric and end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030.
The significant investment programme will also result in a complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio, and the historic Crewe Campus, by embedding an industry-leading greenfield facility into a world-leading, next generation digital, low environmental impact, high-value advanced manufacturing facility.
Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said:
“Beyond100 is the boldest plan in Bentley’s illustrious history, and in the luxury segment. It’s an ambitious and credible roadmap to carbon neutrality of our total business system, including the shift to 100 per cent BEV in just eight years.
“Our aim is to become the benchmark not just for luxury cars or sustainable credentials but the entire scope of our operations. Securing production of our first BEV in Crewe is a milestone moment for Bentley, and the UK, as we plan for a long-term sustainable future in Crewe.”
Peter Bosch, Board Member for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, added:
“Today is arguably the most important day in Bentley’s modern history, and is a testament to the hard work and skill of our colleagues in Crewe. The journey really does start now. We are already marking the pinnacle in luxury car production and have already transformed our factory to become carbon neutral, with industry-leading environmental credentials. With our new ‘Dream Factory’ concept, we now go to zero also with water, waste and other environmental impacts until 2030. Unique craftsmanship, customer interaction and employee experience will be enhanced by digital tech, higher flexibility and new ways of personalisation. We will develop the best of Crewe into the future benchmark of luxury car manufacturing.”
