Famed luxury car brand signals an end of an era

This top-shelf car maker has revealed some big news overnight that will change its cars forever, and it’s all going to happen sooner than you think.

Bentley is the latest brand to announce it’s moving on from the internal combustion engine.

The famed British luxury brand announced overnight it would become an electric-only, carbon-neutral car maker by 2030.

Bentley is known for powering its cars with massive turbocharged eight and 12 cylinder engines – most mainstream vehicles use four-cylinders.

The move follows other ultra high-end brands such as Rolls-Royce that are also planning on ditching petrol by 2030.

Bentley has announced it will become an electric-only brand by 2030.

Bentley says its first battery-electric vehicle is currently under development and is due to arrive late in 2025.

Bentley boss, Adrian Hallmark, says the final design of the new electric vehicle is only weeks or months away, according to UK publication Autocar.

The luxury marque has committed to building five electric cars by the end of the decade.

Bentley is owned by the giant Volkswagen Group and Hallmark says the vehicle will use the VW Group’s electric platforms for its vehicles.

The move to all electric vehicles by Bentley is no surprise as many jurisdictions around the globe prepare to ban the sale of petrol and diesel powered cars.

Bentley is known for its monster engines such as this 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 unit.

In 2021, the European Commission revealed it wants to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

Last year US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that requires 50 per cent of all new cars sold by 2030 to be electric.

The move reportedly has the backing of the US’s biggest automakers such as Ford and General Motors.

President Biden announced on Twitter at the time: “The future of the auto industry is electric – and made in America.”

Bentley is now owned by the VW Group and will use its electric car platforms for future cars.

Australia’s federal government currently has no enforceable vehicle emissions reduction targets and no incentives for electric car buyers.

Several states have stepped up to the plate.

NSW announced a $3000 subsidy for new electric cars priced under $70,000. Buyers are also eligible for a stamp duty exemption, which is good for another few thousand.

The incentives are part of a $490 million plan to encourage people to buy electric cars.

Victoria also announced a $3000 subsidy for new electric cars under $68,740 (before on-road costs).

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced in November last year a $250m government fund to install charging infrastructure and cut costs will now be rolled out around the country as the PM attempts to get 1.7 million low and zero emission cars on the road by 2030.

Originally published as Famed luxury car brand signals an end of an era