An alternative to the Nissan Leaf ... Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric / 102EX - Prototype Drive
A battery-powered Rolls-Royce is the answer to a question no one asked. When a car that Rolls code-named 102EX surfaced at last month’s Geneva auto show, skepticism reigned. Offered an opportunity to experience this radical alternative to V-12 propulsion, we took the bait, in spite of the fact that our drive was scheduled for April Fools’ Day—the ideal moment for jokes and hoaxes, even in England.
I quickly learned that the 102EX—a.k.a. the Phantom Experimental Electric—is no hoax and that the motivation for building this one-off did not bubble up from owner discontent. To the contrary, the highly opinionated captains of the universe who buy Rolls-Royces are smitten with their V-12s, and they’d prefer that the factory leave them alone. But last year a harsh reality rattled this illustrious brand’s board of directors: V-12 engines are not sustainable.