High-end EVs are not in a good place. A recent report from Automotive News revealed that U.S. registrations for Rolls-Royce's Spectre EV, its only electric product at the moment, have fallen by 20 percent, and Lamborghini has canceled its first EV due to a lack of customer interest. Despite this, Bentley says its first EV, which shares its VW Group Premium Platform Electric architecture with the Porsche Cayenne EV, will be all-electric, and that it has "no intention" of converting the platform to suit a hybrid powertrain. Speaking to media about Bentley's 2025 financial results, CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said, "It's not feasible, and it's not part of our strategy." However, the Crewe-based brand is not throwing all caution to the wind.
Bentley's Future Includes Hybrid and Gas-Only Cars
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While Bentley is already too far down the rabbit hole to change tack with its so-called Luxury Urban SUV (a proper name will be announced before it goes on sale by the end of this year), Walliser confirmed that Bentley's second EV won't arrive before 2030. Instead, future cars will have plug-in hybrid powertrains like the Continental GT and the Flying Spur. The obvious choice here is the next generation of the best-selling Bentayga, though the CEO was coy about its arrival, only saying that it won't arrive next year. Given that the current Bentayga continues to attract customers, that's probably a prudent decision.
Related: Bentley's First Electric SUV Begins to Take Shape
He also said that customers are showing enthusiasm for gas-only cars, so the British automaker is considering exclusive cars (i.e., very expensive limited editions) with such a powertrain. Despite global challenges, Bentley has recorded its seventh consecutive year of profitability, so the company seems to know what it's doing. That said, up to 275 jobs are at risk at Bentley Motors, so maintaining its winning streak will be tough.
Bentley's 'Baby' SUV Will Be a Beast
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So far, Bentley hasn't revealed too much about its first EV, besides vaguely talking up its performance and announcing its target of recouping 100 miles of range in just seven minutes. Its placeholder name of 'Urban SUV' indicates that massive range won't be a priority, as this shorter-than-Bentayga vehicle will be aimed at city dwellers, but the fact that it shares its platform with the aforementioned Cayenne EV means that up to 1,139 horsepower should be possible. With EV registrations in America falling 41 percent year-on-year in January, the new Bentley will have to be a compelling choice to convince the well-heeled to part with six-figure sums; will big power, fast charging, and the prestige of the Flying B prove a winning recipe? We'll have to wait for its reveal later in 2026 and its arrival in 2027 to know, but sticking with electric power sure raises an eyebrow.
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