As seen elsewhere, the trend toward mass adoption of electric vehicle is slowing down. In a report from Autocar, we learn that Aston Martin is delaying its transition to electric propulsion, instead looking to hybrids powertrains for the next 10-plus years of production.
Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll has plans for plug-in hybrids that go far beyond the timelines contemplated by mainstream automakers who intend to use the technology as a bridge to an EV future. Stroll suggests that Aston Martin customer feedback includes having the “sound and smells” of an internal combustion engine, which further cemented its plan to go hybrid for both V8 and V12 models.
While Stroll suggests that electric cars will eventually happen at Aston Martin, its previous plans are no longer relevant. This included an EV Aston to be made by 2025, which has been cancelled. Stroll told Autocar that “demand for electric cars is particularly weak in the luxury segments as Aston Martins were typically not ‘first’ cars for their customers.”
This reality check from Aston Martin mirrors that of its intention to keep physical controls in its decadent interiors, and keeping loyal customers happy seems like a good plan when considering the current financial struggles of EV startups, namely Lucid and Rivian in the US. While Lucid recently received an astronomically huge cash infusion from a Saudi investment firm, Rivian is feeling the heat in the EV market.
