Bentley has confirmed early details about its first fully electric model, arriving in 2027, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most advanced luxury EVs ever produced. Internally known as the Urban SUV, this all-electric Bentley promises ultra-fast charging, huge performance numbers, and the traditional craftsmanship the brand is known for — but with a modern electric twist.
For UK EV drivers, especially those planning ahead for future luxury EV ownership, Bentley’s announcement raises some important questions about charging speeds, battery tech, and the future of home and public charging. Here’s what we know so far.
Super-Fast Charging: 100 Miles in About 6.5 Minutes
Bentley says the new SUV will be able to add over 100 miles (161 km) of range in roughly 6.5 minutes, which suggests peak charging power well above 350 kW.
This puts Bentley in the same conversation as the fastest-charging EVs in the world, though it focuses on the luxury market where fast charging has historically lagged.
Will home charging ever reach 350 kW?
No — and that’s not a bad thing.
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Home chargers in the UK are limited to 7.4 kW (single-phase) and
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22 kW with three-phase power (rare for domestic homes).
Ultra-rapid charging above 250 kW is strictly DC public infrastructure, requiring industrial-grade power, cooling, and grid capacity.
What matters to Bentley owners at home is not ultra-rapid charging — it’s overnight convenience, reliability, and energy savings.
A premium EV like Bentley’s Urban SUV will almost certainly support AC charging at up to 11–22 kW, making a high-quality home charger the most practical everyday solution.
High Performance: 0–200 mph and Bentley Comfort
Bentley’s engineering chief has hinted the SUV will be:
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Comfortable like the Flying Spur
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Agile like the Continental GT
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Capable of extreme top speeds (up to 322 km/h / 200 mph)
To achieve this, Bentley is expected to use:
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A two-speed transmission (similar to some Porsche EVs)
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Powerful dual- or tri-motor configurations
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A large battery (likely around 108 kWh)
This positions Bentley’s Urban SUV as one of the fastest and most luxurious EVs on the market.
Built on Volkswagen Group’s PPE Platform
The SUV is expected to share technology with:
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Audi Q6 e-tron
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Porsche Macan Electric
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The new Porsche Cayenne EV (launching late 2025)
This shared platform suggests:
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Advanced battery cooling
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Efficient power electronics
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Next-generation charging architecture
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Strong range expectations (Bentley is targeting ~600 km)
Luxury Intact: 30m² of Leather and Signature Craftsmanship
Even with the shift to electric, Bentley says the Urban SUV will retain its traditional luxury feel, including:
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Around 30 square metres of leather inside
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High-end stitching (13,000 stitches per cabin)
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Premium materials throughout
It will sit slightly below the Bentayga in size, with a lower, sleeker stance and design cues from Bentley’s recent EXP15 concept.
What This Means for UK Charging in 2027
1. Ultra-fast charging is becoming normal — but only on public networks
As more EVs arrive with 300–800 kW charging capability, the UK’s infrastructure will need to keep up. Ultra-rapid hubs like IONITY, BP Pulse, Gridserve, and MFG are already scaling to:
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350 kW chargers,
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400+ kW future-ready units, and
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Megawatt-charging architecture for commercial EVs.
By 2027, we can expect significantly more ultra-rapid hubs across the UK.
2. Home charging remains essential
Even with super-fast charging, 90–95% of EV charging will still happen at home for convenience and cost savings.
A Bentley owner is more likely to:
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Plug in overnight
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Wake up full
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Use ultra-rapid chargers only for long trips
A reliable home charger is still the heart of EV ownership, regardless of how fast public charging becomes.
3. Bigger batteries need smarter home chargers
Large battery luxury EVs benefit from:
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Load balancing
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Smart scheduling (cheap rate tariffs)
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High-quality cabling and installation
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Solar integration (increasingly popular in the UK)
Owners of high-end EVs typically demand the best charging experience — safe, fast, consistent, and future-proof.
Bentley Delays Ending Combustion Engines
Interestingly, Bentley also confirmed that due to slowing EV uptake, it will continue offering petrol engines beyond 2030, extending into 2035. This mirrors a wider industry trend of more gradual electrification.
Final Thoughts
Bentley’s first fully electric SUV represents a major milestone for British luxury motoring. With its blend of ultra-fast charging, extreme performance, and traditional craftsmanship, it’s set to be one of the most advanced EVs in the world when it launches in 2027.
For UK drivers, it’s another reminder that the future of luxury motoring is electric — and that smart, reliable home charging remains the most important part of EV ownership, no matter how fast public chargers become.