Bentley secures UK production of its first BEV

BENTLEY has announced that it will develop and manufacture its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the United Kingdom. The first model is 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 said the investment marked “a major boost for the UK economy” and that the BEV production facility would guarantee the future employment of the luxury marque’s 4000 employees.

Mr Hallmark said the significant investment programme would result in the complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio, as well as its historic Crewe Campus, where the VW Group subsidiary planned to build an industry-leading greenfield manufacturing facility.

Bentley revealed its Beyond100 strategy – which will see the Crewe-based brand produce battery electric vehicles (BEVs) only and be end-to-end carbon neutral by the end of the decade – in 2020.

“Beyond100 is the boldest plan in Bentley’s illustrious history – and in the luxury-vehicle segment. It’s an ambitious and credible roadmap to carbon neutrality of our total business system, including the shift to 100 per cent BEV production 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.” 

Bentley has previously said hybridised driveline technology would replace the 459kW/800Nm twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine in its line-up within five years. The British marque also committed to offer 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. 

“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.