Aston Martin Delays EV Plans, Retains V8 and V12 Until 2035

Aston Martin has delayed the launch of its first electric car to 2033 or later, with CEO Adrian Hallmark confirming that the company no longer has a fixed launch date. Speaking to Autocar UK, Hallmark said Aston Martin only needs battery-electric vehicles to meet regulatory requirements in certain markets shortly before 2035.

The company now expects to remain predominantly ICE-based until 2035, with Hallmark describing Aston Martin as “not BEV deniers but BEV delayers”.

Aston Martin EV launch delayed again

Aston Martin’s first EV has already been delayed several times. The company originally targeted 2025, before moving the launch to 2026 and later indicating that its first EV would arrive by 2030. The latest plan places the launch in a 2033-35 window.

Hallmark said the pace of change in EV demand and legislation has made it difficult for the company to commit to a specific date. He said the launch could happen in 2033 or 2035, but ruled out 2031.

The latest delay follows comments from executive chairman Lawrence Stroll in 2024 that EV demand at Aston Martin’s price point was lower than expected. The company had previously planned four EVs on a dedicated architecture, covering a GT, SUV, crossover and mid-engined supercar.

Lucid technology to underpin future EVs

Aston Martin has an agreement with Lucid for EV technology, while Mercedes-Benz remains its current engine technology partner.

According to Hallmark, delaying the EV programme gives Aston Martin more time to assess developments in battery and electric powertrain technology before committing to major investment. He said the technology available when the company activates its agreement with Lucid will be significantly different from what was originally envisaged.

For now, Aston Martin’s EV spending remains limited to research and evaluation rather than major production investment.

V8 and V12 engines to continue

Aston Martin intends to retain combustion engines well into the 2030s. Hallmark said the company has a roadmap to keep both its V8 and V12 engines compliant through at least 2035.

The company will continue to use hybridisation, although Hallmark indicated that plug-in hybrid systems are unlikely to form a major part of the strategy because of their additional weight. Instead, Aston Martin is expected to favour lighter hybrid systems.

Hallmark also said that the company’s entire product line-up will be replaced between 2030 and 2035, with future models expected to offer higher levels of performance and quality.

The Valhalla hypercar will continue, with Hallmark also hinting at a possible derivative with a different roof. Aston Martin is investing in the Valhalla platform for future low-volume special-edition models.

Rapide E never entered production

Aston Martin’s first planned production EV was the Rapide E, revealed in 2019. The company intended to build 155 examples, but cancelled the customer production programme before any cars were delivered.

Instead, the Rapide E became an electrification research project. It featured an 800V battery and two electric motors with a combined target output of more than 610hp and 950Nm.

Aston Martin’s latest EV strategy represents a significant shift in its electrification timeline. Rather than committing to a near-term BEV launch, the company plans to use the remainder of the decade to develop and refine its combustion and hybrid powertrains while monitoring changes in EV technology, demand and legislation. The strategy also gives Aston Martin more time to leverage its Lucid partnership before making substantial investment in a dedicated electric product.