Luxury marque’s range to be fully electric by 2030

Bentley Motors has announced its model line-up will only feature plug-in hybrids and electric cars by 2026 and will be fully electric by 2030.

The luxury marque is committing to a change from traditional internal combustion engines as the automotive industry adapts to tighter emissions limits in Europe and China.

The 100-year-old company, owned by Volkswagen, says it will launch two plug-in hybrids next year as part of its “Beyond100” strategy to accelerate the development of electrified models.

Adrian Hallmark, Bentley chief executive officer, says: “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 is looking at changes across its whole business in order to become an “end-to-end carbon neutral organisation”.

The company provided a glimpse of its electrified future with the reveal of the all-electric EXP 100 GT concept car, pictured, in July 2020.Bentley plans to launch its first pure electric model in 2025,

GM’s electric pledge

General Motors (GM) is vowing to boost its capital spending over the next three years to accelerate the development of electric vehicles (EVs).

Chief executive Mary Barra says the company is talking with carmakers about partnerships to develop more vehicles using GM’s battery technology.

The decision means GM will fork out more than the US$7 billion ($10.3b) it has already committed to spending on EVs through at least 2023.