by Preparing for the Production of Bentley’s First Electric Car
This year, Bentley plans to introduce its first fully electric car. The new model, expected to be named Barnato, will be a mid-size SUV positioned below the Bentayga and will arrive on the American market in 2027. In addition to developing the car itself, the shift to electric vehicle production has led to unusual changes at Bentley’s factory in Crewe.
Innovative Workwear for Future Production
In preparation for the start of Barnato assembly, Bentley has developed new special clothing for employees who will work in the plant’s electrostatic discharge (ESD) protected areas. According to the company, the new uniform incorporates carbon fiber into its construction. The primary goal is not weight reduction but dissipating static electricity, which is critically important for the safe handling of high-tech electric vehicle components.
The British automaker does not name external clothing suppliers but emphasizes that in creating the kit, the main focus was on using specific materials and manufacturing methods to reduce environmental impact. When the clothing reaches the end of its service life, each element will be recycled to create new items.
Bentley has developed new carbon fiber workwear for production staff. The new clothing will work in electrostatically protected areas of the plant.
Technological Foundation and Market Context
Bentley’s second SUV is key for the brand. Its launch comes at a time when electric vehicle sales are declining in the US but growing in Europe. The question remains how open Bentley buyers will be to an electric SUV.
However, the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has already become their second best-selling model after the Cullinan. This means there is a good chance that Bentley customers will also appreciate the smoothness and quietness of an electric powertrain.
The Barnato will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular PPE platform, which is also used in cars like the Audi A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric, and Cayenne Electric.
The shift to electric vehicle production for a brand like Bentley is not just a matter of new technology but a comprehensive transformation of production processes, from personnel safety to component logistics. The success of the electric Spectre from Rolls-Royce demonstrates that the luxury car market is ready for electrification, but the success of a specific model always depends on the combination of technology, design, and timely market entry. The new workwear for employees is just one, but very indicative, detail of this large-scale transition, symbolizing the attention paid to even the smallest aspects to ensure the quality and innovation of the future product.
