Bentley will not launch its first electrical automobile till 2026, a 12 months later than initially deliberate, in keeping with the model’s CEO.
In an interview with Automotive Information (subscription required) printed on Wednesday, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark mentioned the EV has been delayed, however did not present a motive.
He nevertheless denied the delay was attributable to reported setbacks at Volkswagen Group’s Cariad software program improvement unit. Bloomberg reported on Monday that Volkswagen Group’s CEO shuffle final week was attributable to delays in mannequin launches at Audi, Bentley and Porsche brought on by software program points.
The primary Bentley EV is being developed alongside the same Audi mannequin code-named Undertaking Artemis, with each to make use of a model of VW Group’s future SSP platform. Porsche was initially a part of the undertaking however reportedly pulled out earlier this 12 months. Porsche is now anticipated to make use of for its mannequin VW Group’s PPE platform which debuts shortly within the Audi Q6 E-Tron.
Adrian Hallmark
Hallmark mentioned regardless of the delay, which he mentioned in actuality will solely be just a few months versus a full 12 months, Bentley will nonetheless reveal the EV in 2025.
He did not say whether or not the delay can even end in Bentley lacking its goal of getting a full-electric lineup by 2030, a goal that was first introduced in 2020.
Curiously, Hallmark mentioned Bentley is within the distinctive place the place an EV battery is definitely cheaper than the engines Bentley makes use of in its automobiles.
“The common battery is lower than our 12-cylinder engine,” he informed Automotive Information. “I am unable to look ahead to batteries, they’re low-cost in relative phrases.”
