- Bentley has abandoned its electric-only sales goal previously set for 2035
- Future flagship models will include gas-powered variants once again.
- Its first electric vehicle arrives in 2026, followed by annual plug-in models.
Bentley’s future has taken another unexpected turn. Earlier today, spy photographers snapped the brand’s electric crossover out testing, yet the company is abandoning plans to go electric-only. This is yet another about-face for Bentley, which was originally aiming to only sell EVs by 2030. The ultra-luxury brand then pushed that date back to 2035 and now, who knows.
More: Bentley Confirms First EV For 2026 But Pushes Back EV-Only Goal By 5 Years
Speaking to Autocar, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser appeared to blame the change on Audi and Porsche. The three brands are closely related as they share platforms, powertrains, and components. As a result, their decision to continue offering internal combustion engines has impacted Bentley.
Gas Still On The Menu
That means we can expect gas-powered versions of the next-generation Bentayga, Continental, and Flying Spur. This is said to be a concession to North America and the Middle East, which aren’t keen on ultra-luxury EVs. As Walliser explained, “There is a dip in demand for luxury electric vehicles, and customer demand is not yet strong enough to support an all-electric strategy.”
Despite the change, Bentley is still embracing electrification and is planning to launch a new plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle every year starting in 2026. This kicks off with their electric Urban SUV and will presumably continue with a greater emphasis on plug-in hybrids.
Performance With A Plug
While that future is still hazy, spy photographers have already caught a hardcore version of the Continental GT Speed. It’s expected to revive the Supersports moniker and adopt a high-performance plug-in hybrid system that consists of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. This setup should give the model a combined output in excess of 771 hp (575 kW / 782 PS).
