Rolls-Royce all-electric car, not hybrid, coming by 2020
Rolls-Royce which has been powering its flagship Phantom with a massive V12 engine may soon be seen trading that in for an electric motor. Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Müller-Ötvös has said that an al-electric model is a when, not an if. Rolls-Royce customers don't care for plug-in hybrids; they want either a V12 or an electric motor. The electrified Rolls-Royce will arrive between 2020 and 2030. When it does arrive, expect the electric Rolls-Royce to have a comfortable range of 400km between charges. The BMW-owned British luxury car brand has given itself the long timeline as all its resources have currently been allocated to Project Cullinan, the first Rolls-Royce SUV. The statement from the executive comes as the world prepares for electrification with carmakers including Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz taking the leap. Closer home, the Indian government has set an all-electric mobility future target for 2030.
With the statement from Müller-Ötvös, it is amply clear that Rolls-Royce will not follow fellow British luxury brand Bentley into the world of plug-in hybrid powertrains. Another indication is the Rolls-Royce 102 EX Concept car, which was powered by an electric motor some years back. However, the concept had not been met with the crazed fanfare that follows the showcase of a Rolls-Royce.