Bentley plans to launch one EV a year starting in 2025

British luxury car brand Bentley Motors announced that it is investing £2.5 billion (Php 173 billion) on an ambitious sustainability program as part of the industry’s efforts towards electrification. Part of the goal is rolling out its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) by the middle of this decade. 

Bentley is embarking on an ambitious plan towards carbon neutrality

Called the Beyond100 strategy, the automaker’s plan is said to be the most ambitious in the sector. This will include launching a new electric model every year starting in 2025 under the Five-in-Five plan, with the vehicles designed, developed, and manufactured at Bentley’s Crewe headquarters in England. 

“Simultaneously accelerating our Beyond100 strategy and securing BEV production at Crewe, alongside a £2.5 billion investment, makes this a major landmark in Bentley’s 102-year history,” said Bentley Motors Chairman & CEO Adrian Hallmark. “It is a shining light for the Bentley family, our suppliers and partners, as well as the automotive industry and U.K. manufacturing as a whole.” 

The luxury carmaker's headquarters in England will reduce its environmental impacts by 2030

The Bentley production facilities in England have already been certified as carbon-neutral, with 30,000 solar panels powering the site’s operations. This will be increased to 40,000 in the next two years to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint across all models and non-manufacturing operations. Water consumption, waste to landfill, and other environmental effects are all targeted to be at minimum levels by 2030. 

Apart from these, Bentley is also reportedly exploring the use of sustainable biofuel in fleet cars such as those in its Heritage Collection. Suppliers are expected to meet minimum sustainability standards, with the brand’s global network of retailers aiming to reach carbon neutrality on or before 2025.     

The Bentayga Hybrid made up 20 percent of all versions sold in 2021 

The automaker reports that it sold 14,659 cars in 2021, up 31 percent from the previous 11,206-unit sales record in 2020. Much of these numbers was due to sales of the Bentayga midsize luxury crossover, contributing 40 percent with one in five units purchased being the hybrid model. The hybrid version of the Flying Spur luxury sedan is anticipated for 2022, along with an electrified version of the Continental GT grand tourer.     

Find out which carmakers are going big on sustainability at Philkotse.com.