Rolls-Royce Spectre: The First Electric Rolls-Royce Explained

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is the first fully electric Rolls-Royce, a large two-door coupé revealed in October 2022 with first deliveries in late 2023. It uses Rolls-Royce’s aluminium Architecture of Luxury, adapted for batteries, and two electric motors that deliver silent, seamless power — qualities the brand has always pursued with its V12s. Rolls-Royce has said it intends to be an all-electric brand by 2030, making the Spectre the first chapter of its next era.

Spectre at a glance

A 1900 prediction

Rolls-Royce likes to quote its co-founder Charles Rolls, who drove an early electric car in 1900 and described it as perfectly noiseless and clean, while noting that it would be very useful once charging stations could be arranged. More than 120 years later, the Spectre fulfilled that idea.

Why electric suits Rolls-Royce

The brand’s engineering goal has always been silence, smooth torque and effortless progress — the “waftability” Rolls-Royce talks about. Electric motors deliver all their torque instantly and silently, with no gear changes. The heavy battery sits low in the floor, adding to stability and, surprisingly, to sound insulation.

Design

The Spectre is a large, fastback coupé with a split headlight design, the widest grille ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce, and a new, lower Spirit of Ecstasy redesigned in wind-tunnel testing to be more aerodynamic. The doors are rear-hinged coach doors, and a Starlight display appears in the doors as well as the headliner. See the history of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

What it means for the V12

Rolls-Royce has kept building the 6.75-litre V12 in the Phantom, Ghost and Cullinan while it transitions. As the brand moves toward electric power, the Spectre is the proof of concept: can an electric car feel like a Rolls-Royce? Early reviews broadly said yes.

Electric luxury and chauffeured transport

Electric luxury cars are wonderfully quiet — ideal for passengers — but chauffeured fleets must plan around charging during busy days. Read electric vs gas luxury cars and BMW i7 vs Mercedes EQS for the electric sedans more common in executive service.