Electrification strategy clarified as Bentley commits $5b to future sustainability
BENTLEY will develop and manufacture its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the United Kingdom with the first example expected to roll off the production line by 2025.
The news comes as the company commits to investing £2.5 billion ($A4.7 billion) in sustainability over the next ten years.
Company chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark says the investment “marks a major boost for the UK economy” and that the BEV production facility will guarantee the future employment of the luxury marque’s 4000 employees.
The milestone decision represents a critical step in Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy, the plan launched in 2020 set to ensure the Crewe-based company is exclusively electric and end-to-end carbon neutral by the end of the decade.
Mr Hallmark said the significant investment programme will also result in a complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio, and the Crewe Campus, by embedding an industry-leading greenfield manufacturing facility into the historic site.
“Beyond100 is the boldest plan in Bentley’s illustrious history, and in the luxury segment. It’s an ambitious and credible roadmap to carbon neutrality of our total business system, including the shift to 100 per cent BEV in just eight years,” he said.
“Our aim is to become the benchmark not just for luxury cars or sustainable credentials but the entire scope of our operations. Securing production of our first BEV in Crewe is a milestone moment for Bentley, and the UK, as we plan for a long-term sustainable future in Crewe.”
Bentley has previously stated that hybridised driveline technology will replace the 459kW/800Nm twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine in its line-up within five years, the luxury British marque also committing to a plug-in hybrid version of every model in its portfolio by 2024.
It’s understood the replacement driveline will comprise a 2.9-litre turbo-petrol V6 (sourced from Porsche) paired with a 100kW electric motor and 14.1kWh battery pack in Flying Spur Hybrid variants, and a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (sourced from Audi) paired with a 94kW electric motor and 17.3kWh battery pack in Bentayga Hybrid variants.
Sales of new petrol or diesel-powered vehicles are set to be banned in the UK from 2030.
The Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid will be the first model to arrive in local showrooms (from mid 2022 with the Bentayga SUV Hybrid to follow shortly thereafter.
“Today is arguably the most important day in Bentley’s modern history and is a testament to the hard work and skill of our colleagues in Crewe. The journey really does start now,” Bentley Motors board member for manufacturing Peter Bosch said.
“We are already marking the pinnacle in luxury car production and have already transformed our factory to become carbon neutral, with industry-leading environmental credentials.
“With our new ‘Dream Factory’ concept, we now go to zero also with water, waste and other environmental impacts until 2030.
“Unique craftsmanship, customer interaction and employee experience will be enhanced by digital tech, higher flexibility and new ways of personalisation. We will develop the best of Crewe into the future benchmark of luxury car manufacturing,” he concluded.
Keyword: Bentley secures UK production of its first BEV