Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has scrapped plans to go all-electric by 2030.
Chief executive Chris Brownridge told the Mail the firm will sell cars with powerful V12 petrol engines beyond that date.
He said a softening in government rules on the timetable for a transition to electric, and continuing demand from the super-rich, meant there was still a place for its powerful petrol engine.
The U-turn comes after former boss Torsten Muller-Otvos, who retired in late 2023, said that Rolls’ internal combustion models would end by 2030 and be replaced by 100 per cent fully electric cars.
Noting that there was still strong demand for petrol vehicles, Brownridge said: ‘The legislation has changed and allows us flexibility.
‘The V12 is something we will continue to invest in; we will continue to produce it beyond 2030.
‘The legislation now allows us to do that. The regulatory landscape has shifted in the past five years. It puts us in a position of strength.’
Power cut: Rolls-Royce boss Chris Brownridge said the luxury car firm will continue selling cars with V12 petrol engines beyond a previously planned cut off of 2030
On the previous 2030 deadline to end petrol V12 engine production, he said: ‘The predictions made were based on a different set of circumstances.’
Rolls-Royce is the latest luxury car-maker to row back on electric ambitions, and it follows a similar move by Bentley Motors.
Brownridge declined to say what proportion of cars are now electric, or would be in the future. More electric models are expected to join its line-up.
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