Bentley delays first EV amid strong demand for hybrids

BENTLEY has pushed back the launch of its first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) as the luxury carmaker said demand for hybrid models remains strong.

The manufacturer confirmed yesterday that it will introduce its first BEV towards the end of 2026 rather than next year as planned.

It comes as Adrian Hallmark, the Bentley chief executive, pointed to a shift in government attitudes towards electrification, having said last year that he was “stunned” by Rishi Sunak’s decision to delay a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2035.

At the time, Mr Hallmark said Bentley would join Nissan in pressing ahead with plans to go all-electric by 2030.

However, in its latest financial results, Bentley confirmed this goal will be pushed back by a year.

Mr Hallmark said: “There’s no question that BEVS are where we will all head.

“But we have seen a definite change, not just in the UK, but globally in respect of regulations and governments taking a different view on the rate of movements towards full EVS, as well as an uptick in acceptance and demand for hybrids.”

Bentley delivered 13,560 cars in 2023, its third-highest retail figure in history.

Revenues hit €2.9bn (£2.5bn) as operating profits reached €589m with return on sales of 20.1pc.

Its decision to push back its EV rollout comes after Mr Hallmark warned that the Prime Minister’s petrol car ban delay would “destabilise” the market after manufacturers ploughed billions of pounds into electrification.

Manufacturers must still meet a zero-emission vehicle mandate by the end of the decade that dictates that four in every five vehicles sold must be electric.

Mr Hallmark warned that this “imbalance” in government policy could create tension between car makers and customers.

However, the company’s latest financial results show Bentley’s home market in the UK is now the number one selling region for hybrid models by proportion, with 27pc of sales from relevant model lines in 2023 selected as a hybrid option.