Rolls-Royce delays all-electric transition by 2030, Retains V12 engines

Is EV the future? A resolute question that auto enthusiasts across the world pitch forward as major manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce deviate from their earlier plans to go full electric by 2030. The CEO of the British brand, known for its opulent vehicles and a go-to choice for elites, told The Times that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will not go full electric by 2030.

Chris Brownridge (Rolls-Royce CEO) said that the relaxed regulatory and legislative targets by governments around the world, along with softer customer demand, helps them pivot from the deadline that was set earlier. Former CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvos had highlighted at the reveal of the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV in 2022 that the luxury car maker would stop manufacturing cars with massive V12 engines by the turn of the decade.

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Talking about the earlier statement, Brownridge said that the statement was correct for the time, and it was based on a different set of circumstances, but the scenario has changed since then. “We recognise some clients would rather have a V12 engine. The V12 is part of our history... For every client who loves an electric vehicle, there is one who does not. Some clients do want an EV, [and] we build what is ordered,” Brownridge told the publication.

A swarm of car manufacturers have changed their plans

While the brands were ready to move ahead and cut engine-powered vehicles from the lineup, the sales figures emanating from their conventional vehicles and EVs showcased dire consequences of going that route. Ötvos had pledged that the Spectre would account for 20% of the annual sales and that figure would rise to 70% by 2028. But the Spectre managed to attain only 1,002 units in 2025, marking a 47% drop from the 1,890 units that were sold the previous year. The Cullinan, however, was the best seller for the brand during that period.

With this change, Rolls-Royce joined a list of brands such as Volvo, Bentley, and Lamborghini. Volvo has dropped its target of having only two electric vehicles on sale by 2030. Bentley has pushed its timeline to become an EV-only manufacturer from 2030 to 2035. Lamborghini, which was planning to move ahead with the launch of an all-electric Lanzador, will shift its strategy to launch it as an all-electric SUV with a plug-in hybrid instead. Porsche’s new flagship SUV will no longer be an EV as well.

V12 retains its place in the lineup

All Rolls-Royce cars—the Ghost, Phantom, and Cullinan—use V12 engines. The brand is progressing with caution to launch an all-electric SUV that is expected to debut sometime this year. A test mule of the vehicle has already been spotted testing in Sweden.