Previously, in January 2020, Bentley announced the Beyond 100 strategy, aiming for sustainable development and only providing hybrid vehicles (electric or battery-powered electric vehicles) by 2026. In addition, the company will also completely switch to electric vehicles by 2030 and will launch 5 new BEV models from 2025.
However, Bentley has recently reviewed this strategy and found that the share of electric vehicle users is not commensurate. According to the company's CEO, electric cars are infrastructure-based technology and this technology is often overrated in terms of speed, while the level of use is low.
Through the survey, the company found that consumers are not ready to accept electric cars and when considering buying high-end cars, customers only think about internal combustion engines. On the other hand, the company is not capable of creating separate lines of internal combustion engines and electric cars like other car manufacturers. Therefore, Bentley is forced to switch to plug-in hybrid cars to meet the needs of many customers.
However, when asked about a complete switch to PHEV, CEO Bentley said that PHEV could be one of the solutions but there is no final decision. This CEO also mentioned synthetic electronic fuel ( synthesis of CO2 and hydrogen) produced by clean electricity sources.
In the near future, Bentley plans to introduce the first electric vehicle around 2026 and launch it a year later to aim for full electrification by the mid-2030s.
According to the company, this electric vehicle will be a new product and completely different from current popular models. This move is an important part in minimizing risks, increasing electric vehicle output while still retaining customers who prioritize gasoline or hybrid vehicles.
In the coming time, the company can still produce internal combustion engine cars, but only use them for limited production versions.
