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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/rolls-royce-electric-car-targets-petrol-models-labour",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-19T09:14:29.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "M3 chaos: Drivers face traffic standstill after lorry crash causes 'substantial diesel spill'",
    "Morrisons issues major announcement impacting millions of drivers across the UK",
    "Drivers risk 'legal action' as fraudulent parking scams leave thousands vulnerable to penalties",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nUK car giant Rolls-Royce has announced it will be backing away from electric vehicles despite renewed pressure from Labour.\n\nThe car brand confirmed that it will continue producing V12 petrol engines well into the 2030s due to growing demand from drivers.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe British brand, owned by BMW, had previously pledged to go fully electric by the end of the decade, a commitment it announced in 2021 alongside the launch of its first battery-powered model, the Rolls-Royce Spectre.\n\nHowever, the company has now shifted its stance, pointing to strong customer demand for traditional engines and a changing political landscape both in the UK and abroad.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nChief executive Chris Brownridge said many buyers still want the brand's classic driving experience. \"We recognise some clients would rather have a V12 engine. The V12 is part of our history,\" he told The Times.\n\nRolls-Royce cars, which often cost more than £300,000, are built individually to customer specifications.\n\nThis bespoke approach allows the company to respond directly to what buyers want, rather than committing to a fixed production strategy.\n\nThe move comes as Labour pushes along with its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires all new car sales to be electric by 2035.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBut crucially, its plans include exemptions for low-volume manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce.\n\nCar brands are required to meet the EV targets or risk penalties of £12,000 per non-compliant vehicle.\n\nSince Rolls-Royce sells fewer than 2,500 cars annually in the UK, it is currently not subject to strict electric vehicle sales quotas under the revised rules by Labour.\n\nThe company also said global developments are playing a role, with President Donald Trump scrapping targets for half of all car sales to be electric by 2030 in the US. Meanwhile, European regulators have softened their approach to banning petrol cars entirely by 2035.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * M3 chaos: Drivers face traffic standstill after lorry crash causes 'substantial diesel spill'\n  * Morrisons issues major announcement impacting millions of drivers across the UK\n  * Drivers risk 'legal action' as fraudulent parking scams leave thousands vulnerable to penalties\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThese changes are particularly important for Rolls-Royce, as North America remains its largest market. Mr Brownridge said the evolving regulatory picture had given the company greater \"flexibility\" in its long-term planning.\n\nThe figures underline the brand's continued strength. Rolls-Royce delivered 5,664 vehicles worldwide last year and is now investing £300million to expand its Goodwood factory in West Sussex to meet growing demand.\n\nOther luxury carmakers, including Bentley, Aston Martin and Ferrari, have all scaled back plans to go fully electric in recent months.\n\nBentley this week confirmed it would cut around 300 jobs as it prepares to bring its first electric models to market, highlighting the challenges facing the sector.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHigh-end, luxury brands report that customers are not ready to make the switch away from petrol engines, especially with the performance.\n\nWhile electric vehicles are becoming more common among everyday drivers, the ultra-premium segment is moving at a slower pace.\n\nDespite political pressure and ambitious environmental targets, Rolls-Royce said it is keeping its options open while stating plans to keep its iconic V12 engine alive for years to come.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Rolls-Royce slashes electric car targets in favour of petrol vehicles in blow to Labour"
}