Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Chris Brownridge has confirmed to our sister publication Autocar UK that a new electric vehicle will launch this year, joining the Spectre. No further details were revealed on the EV’s launch timeline or specifications. However, a September 2024 report by Automotive News suggested the latest Rolls-Royce car could be an SUV, but smaller than the Cullinan.
- Rolls Royce Spectre currently sole EV in the lineup
- Combustion models to be phased out by 2030
Largest investment from Rolls Royce in 22 years
The British luxury automaker plans to invest over 300 million pounds in extending its Goodwood factory to produce new EVs and ramp up its highly profitable customisation programs. Notably, this is the highest amount of money put in the company’s UK headquarters since it opened in 2003.
More bespoke (Phantom, Cullinan, Spectre and Ghost) and custom-designed coachbuilt (Sweptail, Boat Tail and Droptail) cars will also be manufactured here which need more space and production time. 2024 was a record year for Rolls-Royce as the bespoke content value in each model increased by 10 percent year-on-year. The range-topping Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase remained its most customised car last year, followed by the Spectre EV. Buyers from the Middle East added the most Bespoke content in their Rolls Royces.
Rolls Royce hybrid plans
There is no plan to add hybrid powertrains in Rolls-Royce’s transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles. "We won’t offer anything in between our Spectre electric and V12 [cars]," Brownridge further added. Bentley and Aston Martin currently offer hybrid options in some of their cars.
Previously, Rolls-Royce has outlined a plan to phase out combustion models by 2030, and Brownridge says the company can stick to that goal despite other premium car brands slowing their transition plans in light of falling demand for EVs.
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