Bentley has officially abandoned its previous goal of becoming an all-electric brand by 2030, a target established in 2020. CEO Frank-Steffan Walliser cited shifting market regulations and cooling demand for luxury electric vehicles as primary reasons for the strategic reversal. The company now plans to maintain production of combustion and hybrid models well into the next decade.
The updated Beyond100+ strategy shifts the target for a fully electric portfolio to 2035. Bentley intends to implement a flexible production approach, allowing the assembly of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids on the same lines. This adjustment enables the company to scale output based on actual customer demand for specific powertrains rather than adhering to a fixed timeline.
The brand's first electric model, the Torcal SUV, is scheduled for a 2028 model year release. It features a 113-kWh battery, an 800-volt architecture, and delivers up to 876 horsepower in the S variant. The vehicle is expected to go on sale in the United States in early 2026, following its initial reveal in September 2026.
Bentley confirmed that no hybrid version of the Torcal is planned, as the model utilizes a dedicated electric platform. Future electric vehicles from the brand are not expected until the start of the next decade, likely utilizing the Volkswagen Group's upcoming SSP architecture. This gap underscores the company's decision to prioritize flexibility over the original 2030 electrification deadline.
