Bentley, the iconic luxury carmaker, has recently confirmed that its first fully electric vehicle will debut in 2026. This highly anticipated model will be a luxury urban SUV, a segment-defining vehicle that promises to blend opulence with cutting edge electric technology.
While some might see it as a posh crossover, Bentley envisions a groundbreaking new class of vehicles. The company plans to leverage the Volkswagen Group’s versatile PPE platform, which also underpins the Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 e-tron.
Notably, this electric SUV will be entirely conceived, engineered, and manufactured at Bentley’s historic Crewe headquarters. This marks the beginning of an ambitious electrification strategy, with Bentley aiming to introduce a new plug-in hybrid or fully electric model annually for the next decade.
Initially, the brand had targeted 2025 for its first EV launch, followed by a yearly cadence of new electric models until 2030. Bentley’s ambitious ‘Beyond100’ strategy, revealed in 2020, has undergone a significant revision, now dubbed ‘Beyond100+’.
This shift reflects a more pragmatic approach to electrification, with the target year for a fully electric lineup extended to 2035. Until then, Bentley will continue to offer plug-in hybrid models, a decision influenced by the evolving economic, market, and regulatory world.
This strategic pivot underscores Bentley’s commitment to a sustainable future while ensuring the brand’s enduring legacy as a purveyor of extraordinary automobiles.
