Aston Martin confirms its first-ever electric car

The Aston Martin RapidE will become the firm’s first-ever all-electric model when it enters production in 2019. Just 155 examples of the car will be built.

The four-door RapidE promises to deliver “the dynamics of the Rapide S”, but that model’s 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine will be replaced by batteries and electric motors.

Aston says the RapidE will deliver a driving experience unlike any car it has built to date, although no technical details have been released. Williams Advanced Engineering will join Aston Martin in developing the new car.

It’s likely Aston Martin will have benchmarked the Tesla Model S, so supercar-rivalling performance is all-but guaranteed.

Aston Martin boss Dr Andy Palmer said: “Having unveiled the RapidE Concept back in October 2015, we reach another milestone with the confirmation that we’re now putting the first all-electric Aston Martin into production.

“RapidE represents a sustainable future in which Aston Martin’s values of seductive style and supreme performance don’t merely co-exist alongside a new zero-emissions powertrain, but are enhanced by it.

“The internal combustion engine has been at the heart of Aston Martin for more than a century and will continue to be for years to come. RapidE will showcase Aston Martin’s vision, desire and capability to successfully embrace radical change, delivering a new breed of car that stays true to our ethos and delights our customers.”

Paul McNamara, technical director at Williams Advanced Engineering, said: “Williams Advanced Engineering has always endeavoured to work collaboratively with its customers to meet their sustainability challenges and find energy-efficient solutions. For today’s car manufacturers, this is particularly important, as legislation demands more energy-efficient vehicles.

“This project with Aston Martin will draw on the extensive battery and EV experience we’ve accumulated and we’re extremely pleased to be supporting this prestigious British company with its future electrification strategy.”