Rolls-Royce to switch to 'full electric cars by 2040.

 

Rolls-Royce expects to produce solely electric vehicles by 2040 because the British marque pledges to ditch the internal combustion engine synonymous with its ultra-luxury vehicles.

The brand, which currently only offers 12-cylinder petrol engines in its cars, will soon be "full electric" by 2040 to adhere to changes in international rules, chief executive Torsten Müller-Ӧtvӧs told the Financial Times.

The UK and France have promised to ban cars that run without electric power by 2040, but the Rolls-Royce boss believes other markets — such as the US or the Middle East — may follow suit by then.

"Once you see the results in Saudi and the results in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, they're all looking at alternative energy.

"Electrification may also happen in these countries, sooner or later."

He added: "We will surely offer 12-cylinder engines as long as we can, as long as it is legally allowed to supply them."

The organization aims to introduce its first electric vehicle within the next ten years but will phase out its existing engines over several decades.

Carmakers worldwide will work on electric vehicles to meet ever-tightening emissions regulations, particularly in Europe and China.

For Rolls-Royce, the push towards battery is driven more by "legal requirements in the markets worldwide" than environmental concerns, Mr. Müller-Ӧtvӧs said. "These cars aren't used extensively, nobody is driving long, long distances, and therefore the mileage on a Rolls-Royce is less than the average car would carry . . . But electrification is the long run, full stop. You will need to get ready yourself for that."

Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW, has previously shown a design for a 2040s car that was fully electric and autonomously driven.

"Electrification fits well with Rolls-Royce because it's silent, powerful, torquey, so in that sense, it's a perfect fit," he said.

While the transition from petrol and diesel-driven cars to battery vehicles is likely to take decades, several governments have set timelines for when they want older cars without the electric capacity to be phased out.

The UK government will ban the sale of non-electric cars by 2040 and some hybrid vehicles. France may also prohibit all non-electric cars at that time, and Germany has indicated it will be ready to accept similar moves.

China wants a fifth of its new cars powered electrically by 2025 and will demand companies operating on the market to market a proportion of electric vehicles.

Mr. Müller-Ӧtvӧs was speaking as Rolls-Royce unveiled its first sports utility vehicle, the £210,000 Cullinan, named after the most incredible diamond ever discovered. He added that the vehicle launch was a "seminal moment" for the brand, which would also increase its appeal among female drivers.