Lamborghini Says Electric Cars Are An Expensive Hobby It Doesn't Want

Lamborghini has spent the past two years converting its core lineup to plug-in hybrid powertrains, but it is now walking back from plans for a fully electric model.

The company has confirmed that the production version of the Lanzador, originally previewed as a concept in 2023, will not move forward as a battery-electric vehicle. Originally expected to launch in 2028, the Lanzador was supposed to be a high-riding 2+2 with coupe-like proportions and would serve as the fourth Lamborghini model line alongside the Revuelto, Temerario, and Urus.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Lamborghini's Chief Executive Officer, Stephan Winkelmann, said the decision followed deep discussions within the company, along with consultations involving customers and dealers.

Winkelmann said that continuing to invest heavily in a full-electric program under current market conditions risked becoming “an expensive hobby.” He also said acceptance of battery-electric vehicles among Lamborghini’s core clientele is flattening and, in his words, “close to zero.” Yikes.

“Investing heavily in full-EV development when the market and customer base are not ready would be an expensive hobby, and financially irresponsible towards shareholders, customers [and] to our employees and their families.

“Plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds, combining the agility and low-rev boost of electric battery technology with the emotion and power output of an internal combustion engine,” Winkelmann was quoted as saying.

The Lanzador was first shown during Monterey Car Week in August 2023 as a four-seat, elevated coupe that blended elements of a grand tourer and an SUV. The concept featured dual electric motors, one on each axle, along with torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering.

Even before this confirmation, Lamborghini's EV program was on shaky ground. Chief Technology Officer Rouven Mohr said Lamborghini was reassessing the project as early as last September, citing uneven EV adoption in key global markets. He pointed out that Lamborghini could not tailor a dedicated product for each regulatory environment, referencing the diverging regulatory environments in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Mohr told The Drive the Lanzador could be reengineered as a plug-in hybrid, similar in concept to the Urus SE. With the electric program now shelved, Lamborghini is expected to introduce a different fourth model line before the end of the decade, built around a plug-in hybrid powertrain rather than a full battery-electric setup.

AutoGuide's Take:

The company’s current range—including the Revuelto, Temerario, and Urus SE—have already transitioned to hybrid assistance to meet tightening emissions standards while retaining Lamborghini's traditional performance telltales. The V12-powered Revuelto, the twin-turbo V8 Temerario, and the Urus SE SUV all pair internal combustion engines with electric assistance.

Winkelmann did not rule out a fully electric Lamborghini in the long term, but made clear that timing will be dictated by market readiness as much as regulatory pressure. It's a complicated conversation, especially in the supercar and luxury grand-touring space. While battery-electric powertrains can deliver rapid acceleration and high peak output figures, they also introduce weight and constraints that can affect character.

A fourth model line is still planned, and it could still potentially draw from elements of the Lanzador concept, but it will now use a plug-in hybrid powertrain rather than a fully electric one.

The Lanzador is not the only high-profile electric performance project to stall. Maserati recently canceled the battery-electric Folgore variant of its MC20 supercar, and questions remain about the future of Porsche’s electric 718 Cayman and Boxster. Still, though, Ferrari is preparing to unveil its first electric model, and Audi has maintained that a production car based on its Concept C remains in development. Lexus is also working on an electric halo model positioned as a spiritual successor to the LFA.

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