Rolls-Royce Holding Back EV Until Tech And Infrastructure Improve

The silent and smooth ride demanded by Rolls-Royce customers may make you think the automaker would be rushing to develop and sell an all-electric model. However, according to chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos, the car manufacturer is in no rush to launch such a vehicle.

During a recent interview with Car Advice at an event in Australia, Muller-Otvos said that Rolls-Royce will eventually have to build an EV to comply with emissions regulations, but is holding out until the technology improves.

“Just over four years ago we built up a fully electric Phantom and while the customers said it was great, many saw little or no difference to the V12 power we already offer, such was the level of engine refinement and insulation in the car. “That’s not to say we are still not working on our internal combustion engine, because in the latest Phantom 8 we have a new V12 engine and it’s even quieter.

”Let’s put it this way, Rolls-Royce will produce its first full EV in the next decade, which isn’t all that far away. We are working on it, but there’s still plenty to do when it comes to charging infrastructure both at home and in the public domain before we have a workable solution for our customers.”

Rolls-Royce has been surprisingly open about its electrification plans in recent years. While virtually all major car brands are developing hybrids as they slowly move towards fully-electric vehicles, the British luxury automaker has already stated that it has no interest in building hybrids. Instead, it will jump straight from internal combustion engines to all-electric powertrains.