Aston Martin plans all-hybrid future

Aston Martin’s moving to an all-hybrid line-up.

“We will be 100% hybrid by the middle of the 2020s,” its chief executive officer and president Dr Andy Palmer told the Financial Times

.

He expects about 25% of the luxury car maker’s sales will be EVs by 2030. However, it will continue selling non-hybrid versions as an option.

The RapidE will be the first all-electric Aston Martin out of the blocks in 2019, with 115 planned. A hybrid Valkryue hypercar is on the books, an F1 car designed for the road in conjunction with Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey. Other hybrid and battery EV Aston Martins are expected.

Palmer told the Financial Times Aston Martin will develop its electric motor technology internally, rather than borrowing it from technical partner Mercedes-Benz, although battery cells will be brought in.

United Kingdom based Aston Martin earlier reported a boost in revenue in its half yearly results, and now it’s turning Japanese.

Palmer says it will drive trade and investment between the UK and Japan worth up to 500 million pounds (NZ$900m) over the next five years of Aston Martin’s Second Century business plan.

He announced this during his visit to Japan as part of the UK delegation accompanying British prime minister Theresa May.

It includes Aston Martin buying components from Japanese suppliers, such as Bridgestone, Denso, Mitsubishi and Yazaki.

An Aston Martin Meta Technology and Luxury Accelerator office opens in Japan next year, with a new Japan headquarters and further growth of the dealer network planned there too.

“As we prepare to leave the European Union, it is vital that we build on our existing ties with friends and allies,” May says.

“Aston Martin is a prime example of the innovative and world-leading firms the UK is proud of and I’m delighted they are joining me on this important trade mission.”

Between now and the conclusion of the Second Century plan in 2022, Aston Martin sales are expected to more than double, making Japan one of the company’s top five global markets by volume.