Bentley’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint may not lie in current generation hybrid technology. California based Green Car Reports recently tested the Bentley Bentayga V6 Plugin Hybrid (PHEV) and found that the pure gas-powered V8 Bentley was more efficient. By the slightest of margins, but more efficient nevertheless. But wait, hybrids are better for the environment because they reduce the CO2 emissions right? Yes and no, in the case of the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid it is categorically no. It’s all to do with power-to-weight ratio. I layman’s terms the Bentayga PHEV is too heavy to enjoy real-world efficiency gains.

The Bentayga Hybrid is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged 43bhp, 700Nm V6 petrol engine and a small electric motor. The 0-62 time takes 5.2 seconds and the electric driving range is 19 miles before you have to plug-in to recharge. and recharging from zero to full takes 2.5 hours. The Bentayga PHEV is excellent for short trips totaling 19 miles per day, however, long-distance journeys are compromised.

According to Green Car Reports, the Hybrid Bentayga managed to return just 21mpg on the highway. By comparison, the V8 powered Bentayga managed 23mpg on an average highway journey. On top of that, the V8 version is 1 second faster from 0-62mph and offers an extra 100bhp and a range of 518 miles compared to the Hybrid’s 418-mile range.

Research suggests that people who buy these luxury hybrids are motivated by giving the impression of reducing their carbon footprint. In other words, the Bentayga plug-in hybrid is a badge of honor rather than a solution to a zero-emissions future.

Bentley will be releasing a fully electric Bentayga, but not until 2025 and it will reputedly use solid-state batteries over lithium-ion batteries currently used by all-electric car manufactures.