Bentley confirm their first all electric car will be made in Crewe
The news that Bentley will be building their first fully electric car in their Crewe factory is welcome news to the local area of Cheshire and the UK economy as a whole, offering job security and significant investment during difficult times.
Bentley, owned by Volkswagen, are renowned for producing luxury cars with big, powerful engines. But they have stated that they are investing £2.5 billion over the next 10 years into "sustainability". Production of the new electric car will see a "complete transformation" of the Crewe factory.
Beyond100
In 2020, Bentley announced their strategy towards sustainability, named Beyond100. Detailed on the Bentley website, Beyond100 sets out a clear roadmap to become "the world's leading sustainable luxury mobility brand, it commits [them] to an electric future".
The roadmap is simple and leaves no room for interpretation:
- All three Bentley models to have a hybrid option by 2023 - the Flying Spur and Bentayga already have this available.
- 2025 will see the launch of Bentley's first all electric car. The first luxury car in the world to be carbon neutral over its entire life.
- By 2026 the entire range of Bentley cars will be electric and plug-in hybrid.
"Carbon neutral for its entire life" - a bold statement
Bentley have made a bold statement when they say their first all electric car will be carbon neutral for its entire life. Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles (BEV) have been widely criticised for their impact on the environment when we look beyond emissions. For example, batteries are made up of rare-earth minerals that require extraction methods that are harmful to the environment. The battery disposal at the end of its life has also faced criticism.
Bentley have recognised this; their website states they working with 8 other partners on a "new generation of EVs". This research project is called OCTOPUS, which is a lot easier to remember that 'Optimised Components, Test and simulatiOn, toolkits for Powertrains which integrate Ultra high-speed motor Solutions'.
Essentially, this project aims at producing electric motors, electronics and transmissions that are completely sustainable and fully recyclable at the end of its life.
OCTOPUS Electric Motor. Image: Bentley Motors
It is safe to say that Bentley have an exciting future ahead, with car enthusiasts standing by to see what Bentley announce next. For some, the news that the luxury car brand known for his growling exhaust nice and powerful engine will be a disappointment. Whether you love or hate electric vehicles, we are all moving towards a greener future.
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