Rolls-Royce Drops 2030 All-Electric Target

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the British luxury automaker owned by BMW, has abandoned its commitment to become fully electric by 2030, opting instead to continue producing its signature V12 petrol engines well into the next decade. The decision, announced by Chief Executive Chris Brownridge, reflects shifting customer preferences and evolving global regulations, allowing the company to maintain a mix of electric and combustion powertrains.

Brownridge, who assumed the role in late 2023, disclosed the strategic pivot during interviews and a briefing at the company's Goodwood headquarters in West Sussex. He emphasized that the original 2030 target, set in 2021 under his predecessor Torsten Müller-Ötvös, was appropriate given the circumstances at the time but no longer aligns with current realities. "The legislation has changed," Brownridge said. "That prediction was based on a different set of circumstances."

Central to the reversal is sustained demand from Rolls-Royce's affluent clientele for the brand's traditional V12 engines, which power models like the Phantom and Ghost. These 6.75-liter units, known for their smooth performance and historical significance, deliver a distinctive...