Bentley Motors has outlined its plans for the future as part of its Beyond100 strategy. The company plans to offer sustainable luxury vehicles and carbon neutral production.
The heart of the plan is to switching the Bentley model range to electrified powertrains. This includes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). The Bentley stable will be fully electrified by 2026 and include just EVs from 2030 forward.
The switchover isn’t something taken lightly. Bentley will be changing over from the world’s largest supplier of 12-cylinder petrol engines to having no internal combustion engines within a decade.
Bentley is already taking steps to make its headquarters more sustainable.Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors
Bentley’s emissions-free future extends to its manufacturing plant. It’s 80-year old headquarters is the UK’s only carbon neutral luxury car factory. Some factory improvements are already underway in Crewe. The company is reclaiming rainwater to help reduce the headquarters’ draw on local water supplies. The facility has also initiated local tree planting and the installation of a 10,000 solar panel carport, taking the total number of on-site solar panels to 30,000, as well as aa switch to renewable-only electricity sources.
“Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors. “Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA – the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leaders. Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.
“Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100 year old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”
Bentley will offer its first hybrid model by 2023. Its initial purely electric model will be launched in 2025.
Additional environmental impact points include further improvements to Bentley’s tier one supply chain and retailer network.
