Bentley Motors has set out its desire to become a global leader in sustainable luxury mobility with further details of its Beyond100 strategy revealed last week. The company intends to reinvent every aspect of its business to become an end-to-end carbon neutral organisation as it embarks on its second century of vehicle manufacturing.

The target is driven by a transformation programme across Bentley’s entire operations and products which includes switching its model range to offer exclusively plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicles by 2026, and full electric vehicles only by 2030.

The announcement highlights Bentley’s plans to evolve from being the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder petrol engines to having no internal combustion engines — all within a decade, reinventing the marque as a leader in sustainable luxury mobility.

The Beyond100 strategic plan is an extension of two decades of forward-thinking, innovation and achievement. Acutely aware of the responsibility to consider the environmental, social and economic impact, Bentley has transformed its 80-year-old Crewe headquarters into the UK’s single carbon-neutral luxury car factory.

In parallel, Bentley now operates in more markets than ever before — 68 in total — while creating a long-term, consistent, sustainable business model.

Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Motors chairman and CEO, said: “Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA - the original Bentley boys were pioneers and leaders. Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.

“Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100 year old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”

Business-wide sustainability programme
Bentley’s aim to become an end-to-end carbon neutral luxury car brand by 2030 will be underpinned by a structured, business-wide sustainability programme which includes the development of electrified models throughout the range, and further improvements on its operational environmental impact, Tier One supply chain and collaboration with its retailer network.

Bentley’s approach to redefining its business model will be built around its accelerated journey towards electrification. Having already committed that every model line will be offered with the option of a hybrid variant by 2023, with Bentley’s first pure electric model to be launched in 2025, Bentley will move towards zero-emission mobility.

Following the introduction of the first Bentley fully electric model in 2025 - Bentley’s first fully carbon-neutral car — Bentley will exclusively offer plug-in hybrid and electric models only within its range in 2026. By 2030, this will change to battery electric vehicles only.

Bentley’s electrified future was previewed with the unveiling of the all-electric EXP 100 GT concept car in its centenary year, which also featured a multitude of sustainable materials.

These included 5,000-year-old copper-infused Riverwood, traditionally produced wool carpets and a leather-like textile upholstery made from a bi-product of wine-making. Bentley will continue to use only sustainably sourced materials throughout our current, and next generation of cars.

Last year, Bentley’s production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in the UK to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust.

Innovative solutions
This followed two decades of implementing innovative solutions, including a water recycling system in the paint shop, local tree planting, installation of a 10,000 solar panel carport, taking the total number of on-site solar panels to 30,000, and a switch to renewable-only electricity sources.

The Crewe facility will continue to improve its environmental operations. By the end of this, all suppliers will have passed a sustainability audit, verifying their sustainability credentials.

Meanwhile, by the end of 2025, Bentley intends to reduce its factory environmental impact by focusing on energy consumption, CO² emissions, waste water, use of solvents in the paint process and becoming plastic neutral. The company has also confirmed it will be investing in two new R&D buildings, a vehicle test centre and a dedicated launch quality centre.

As well as accelerating the product journey towards electrification, Beyond100 also opens a new era for Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner, which now has a three-portfolio structure comprising Mulliner Classic, Mulliner Collections and Mulliner Coachbuilt.

The recently revealed Bacalar signifies the start of this new age as the first member of the Mulliner Coachbuilt family and incorporates elements of the sustainable materials showcased in EXP 100 GT.