One of Britain's most premium car brands is set to delay its electric vehicle targets as it looks to continue the development of new petrol and diesel models.
Bentley has announced that it will be preparing new internal combustion engine vehicles to succeed its Bentayga, Continental GT and Flying Spur models.
The Crewe-based company originally planned to be carbon neutral by the end of the decade, based on its Beyond100 strategy, although this was amended last year.
Previous plans would have also seen Bentley only offer plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles by 2026, before phasing out hybrids for a zero emission lineup.
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The new Beyond100+ strategy will now see the brand sell electric vehicles from 2035, with plug-in hybrids also being offered over the coming years.
Speaking to Autocar, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser confirmed that the brand maintained its pledge to launch a new plug-in hybrid or electric model every year from 2026.
This will be headlined by its first electric vehicle next year, with plans for an "urban SUV" to kickstart the brand's electric future.
Mr Walliser stated that Bentley would be able to mix traditional petrol engines and battery electric powertrains, given the brand's position alongside other groups under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.
READ MORE: Porsche delays launch of new electric car due to low demand as VW faces £4.4billion hit
Bentley said it would be rolling back its electric vehicle plans
|BENTLEY
He added: "There is a dip in demand for luxury electric vehicles, and customer demand is not yet strong enough to support an all-electric strategy.
"The luxury market is a lot different today than when we announced Beyond100. Electrification is still our goal, but we need to take our customers with us," he told Autocar.
Bentley's current range of models includes the petrol and hybrid Bentayga, and the Flying Spur, Continental GT and Continental GT Convertible, which are available as "Performance Hybrids".
In 2024, Bentley recorded its sixth consecutive year of profitability, with operating profit reaching €373million or £325million.
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Bentley saw massive changes in its production schedules last year, with the transformation from the classic W12 engine to the ultra-performance V8 hybrid powertrain at its facility in Crewe.
Dr Walliser said at the time: "Looking forward to 2025, of course, we continue to navigate difficult global market conditions and maintained volatile political and economic environments, however our strength of sales is strong."
Porsche, another brand under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, announced plans to invest heavily in internal combustion engines.
Volkswagen Group stated that it would take a €5.1billion (£4.4billion) hit to its operating profit by delaying the launch of Porsche's latest electric car.
Porsche is set to roll out the use of breakthrough wireless charging technology for its electric cars | PORSCHEChief executive Oliver Blume said Porsche was in the "final steps" of realigning the brand's product strategy, hence the decision to scrap the planned EV launch.
He noted: "We are currently experiencing massive changes within the automotive environment."
A second VW Group brand, Audi, previously cancelled its plan to be an all-electric brand by 2033.
Audi aimed to stop developing internal combustion engines by 2033, but will now stay flexible depending on the demands and interest in various markets.