Bentley is nixing its gasoline-powered engines in favor of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its ‘Beyond100’ strategy. The famed automaker announced on Thursday that it plans to offer plug-in hybrid and EVs exclusively by 2026. By 2030, Bentley’s lineup will include EVs only. While some might consider the move radical, it’s all part of Bentley’s strategy to become an “end-to-end carbon neutral car brand.”

What Bentley has in store for its famed lineup

In a seismic automotive shift that Bloomberg reports is being driven by stricter emissions rules, Bentley has committed to stacking its lineup with only hybrid and electric cars by 2026. And by 2030? You can expect its lineup to be fully electric.

“The future of Bentley will be fully electric,” Bentley’s chief engineer, Matthias Rabe, said during an event announcing the news.

But what will Bentley’s move to a fully electric lineup look like? According to Car and Driver, the transition is set to happen pretty quickly. Car and Driver reports that every Bentley model will be available with a hybrid powertrain by 2023. The automaker will then launch its first full EV model in 2025. Then, as soon as 2026, it will be selling only plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and full EVs.

Bentley says it will be an end-to-end carbon-neutral luxury car brand by 2030

It’s not just Bentley’s lineup that’s undergoing some serious changes. In its effort to become a carbon-neutral luxury car brand by 2030, the automaker is taking into account the impact its operations have on the environment. 

Last year, Bentley’s production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in the UK to be certified carbon neutral. The certification resulted from two decades of implementing environmentally mindful solutions. Those solutions included implementing water recycling systems in its paint shop, and installing a solar panel carport. It also included transitioning to renewable-only electricity sources.

According to Bentley, by the end of this year, all of its suppliers will have passed a sustainability audit too. By the end of 2025, the automaker intends to further reduce its environmental impact by focusing on energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. It will also focus on wastewater, its use of solvents in paint, and becoming plastic neutral. The automaker says these efforts will result in a climate positive factory by 2030.

It’s working with local schools and colleges too

The automaker recognizes that going carbon-neutral will take more than an electrified lineup or a climate positive factory. “Achieving sustainable value creation is in large part down to the growth and collaboration of Bentley’s extraordinary people,” the automaker said in a statement.

“Designing and building Bentleys of the future will require a greater diversity of talent, achieved by retraining in some areas and by developing and attracting a wide-range of talent including digital innovators and creative thinkers,” the statement continued.

To achieve such a feat, Bentley will work with local schools and colleges to develop its local talent pool. The automaker hopes to become the employer of choice in the automotive sector. The luxury automaker has confirmed it will be investing in two new Research and Development buildings, a vehicle test center, and a dedicated launch quality center too.