Rolls-Royce will leapfrog rival Bentley into the all-electric era.
Rolls-Royce is launching its first EV, called the Spectre, in 2023, a year after the luxury coupe arrived to demonstrate its electric extreme.
Automotive News reported that the automaker now planning two new EVs including crossover and sedan.
I the second Rolls-Royce EV joining the lineup after the Specter coupe will be an SUV. The automaker's an electric SUV it will be full-size, but smaller than today's V-12-powered Cullinan, according to Automotive News. Expect the electric SUV to arrive in early 2027.
Following the electric SUV in late 2028 will be Rolls-Royce's third EV, a sedan. Automotive News reported that an electric sedan it will replace the full-size Phantom flagship. The Phantom is a legacy of the Rolls-Royce nameplate and it is unclear whether an electric sedan will carry the name.
The Specter will replace the Phantom coupe for the foreseeable future. Rolls-Royce had to recall the Specter EV due to an electrical fault that could increase the risk of fire.
Like other car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce is committed to it use all electricity by 2030but unlike competitors, it remains steadfast in that commitment. Despite more than 60% of Rolls-Royce vehicles having a V-12 under the hood by the first quarter of 2024, the automaker will phase out models with the combustion engine by the end of 2031.
Rolls-Royce's arch-rival, Bentley, said in 2020 it will have a full lineup of plug-in hybrids by 2026 and move to an electric model by 2030. But in March Bentley noted that its first EV won't debut until 2026 when deliveries begin. in 2027. That puts the luxury automaker's first EV two years later than Bentley's planned 2020. Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said the automaker will delay its plan to sell only EVs until 2030, blaming market changes.