Lamborghini has scrapped plans to introduce an all-electric model and shelved the highly anticipated Lanzador to expand its plug-in hybrid offering.
Chief Executive Stephan Winkelmann said demand for battery-powered supercars among the brand’s wealthy clientele was “close to zero” and warned that further investment in electric vehicle development risked becoming “an expensive hobby.”
The Lanzador, unveiled in 2023 as an all-electric concept, was intended to be Lamborghini’s fourth EV project. Instead, it will now be replaced by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), meaning the company’s entire product range will be hybrid by 2030.
Winkelmann said Lamborghini would continue producing internal combustion engines “as long as possible,” arguing that customers valued the “emotional experience” of the brand’s cars — from design and performance to the distinctive engine sound.
“Electric vehicles in their current form struggle to create that emotional connection,” he said.
Lamborghini, owned by Audi and part of the Volkswagen Group, delivered a record 10,747 vehicles in 2025, surpassing the 10,000 unit mark for the second year in a row.
The current product range, including the Urus SUV, the Temerario sports car and the Revuelto supercar, is already fully PHEV. The Urus, which accounts for around 60 percent of total sales, remains the backbone of the company.
While Europe and the Middle East remain strong markets, shipments in the Americas fell nearly 10 percent last year.
Winkelmann said the decision to cancel the Lanzador was the result of more than a year of discussions with dealers and customers. “It would be financially irresponsible to invest heavily in the full development of electric vehicles when the market and customer base are not yet ready,” he said.
Lamborghini’s move reflects the broader challenges facing automakers in the transition to electric vehicles. Lower-than-expected consumer demand and rising development costs have led several manufacturers to scale back their electric vehicle ambitions.
Stellantis recently announced significant writedowns related to electric programs, while Ford Motor Company and General Motors also disclosed multibillion-dollar charges.
However, not all luxury brands are retreating. Rolls-Royce’s Specter EV has become one of its most popular models, suggesting that electric vehicle adoption varies significantly by segment.
The UK is set to end sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2030, while the EU plans to phase out most new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. As a small-volume manufacturer, Lamborghini currently benefits from exemptions to emissions regulations and intends to seek extensions beyond 2035.
Winkelmann noted that Lamborghini vehicles typically travel relatively low annual mileage, less than 2,000 miles for supercars, limiting their environmental footprint.
“Never say never,” he said of a future electric car. “But only when the time is right.”
Currently, the Italian brand is betting that hybrid technology offers the best balance between regulatory compliance and maintaining the emotional appeal that underlies its brand.
