The EV is expected to be a version of a luxury EV with advanced self-driving functions being developed by Audi, which has oversight of Bentley within Volkswagen Group. Bodies-in-white would be built alongside the Audi at VW’s factory in Hanover, Germany, then shipped to Crewe.
Bentley had a record year in 2021 as its global vehicle sales jumped 31 percent to 14,659, boosted by continuing high demand for the Bentayga SUV.
One fifth of Bentayga sales were plug-in hybrids, giving the brand leadership in electrification ahead of rivals such as Aston Martin and Lamborghini. Bentley said it would sell only plug-in hybrid and pure electric models by 2026.
Bentley will be beaten by UK rival Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW, to be the first ultraluxury brand to offer a pure electric vehicle. Rolls-Royce has said it will launch its first full-electric car, the Spectre coupe, in 2023, two years before Bentley.
Ferrari will launch its first full-electric car in 2025, while Lamborghini has said its first full-EV will appear by 2030.
