NEW YORK — A Rolls-Royce electric vehicle is on the table as parent BMW Group explores how to position its vehicle portfolio to meet growing demand for EVs.
"At the end of the day, we are also thinking that Rolls-Royce may be electrified because there is demand from local markets, especially in China," Stefan Juraschek, BMW Group's head of electric powertrain, told Automotive News last week at the New York auto show. "Looking around China, if you want to be in the market, you have to think on electrifying different brands."
In China, one of Rolls-Royce's biggest markets, regulators are implementing clean-vehicle quotas to ease pollution.
A decision on an electric Rolls has not been made, Juraschek said. BMW Group is developing modular kits for electric motors and batteries to enable its brands to produce combustion, EV and plug-in hybrid models as demand warrants.
Rolls is likely to offer a full electric model, possibly under the Phantom nameplate, during the first half of the next decade. Company officials have said they are seeking customer feedback on how an electric powertrain should be reflected in vehicle design.
