Lamborghini has officially shelved plans to launch its first electric vehicle (EV), opting instead to introduce a new, fourth model with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in 2029.
Speaking to the media, Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann confirmed that the Italian brand has indefinitely postponed its long-planned EV, citing slower-than-expected global adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in the high-performance luxury segment.
The decision marks a significant shift in strategy for Lamborghini, which had previously targeted a 2028 debut for its first fully electric model, previewed by the Lanzador concept revealed in late 2023. That concept showcased a sleek, two-plus-two Gran Turismo-style coupe with battery-electric propulsion, following sister Volkswagen Group brands Porsche and Audi down the EV path.
However, plans were pushed back to 2029 late last year, and have now been revised further, with Lamborghini choosing to prioritise plug-in hybrid technology instead.
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Market not ready for Lamborghini EV
Mr. Winkelmann said the decision to postpone the brand’s first EV was driven by global market conditions rather than technological readiness.
He said, “We are ready to do so, but the market is not. We see that there is a flattening curve of the adoption of electric cars globally, and also across the segments, so this is even more valid for our type of cars.”
He added Lamborghini’s customers are not motivated by everyday transport needs, but by emotional connection and performance, factors that currently favour electrified combustion powertrains over full battery-electric solutions.
“We are not selling mobility; you don’t buy a Lamborghini because you have to go from A to B every day. We’re selling dream cars, which maybe is something you wanted since you were a child – a dream of many and the reality of a few.”
“Therefore, we decided our fourth model, which is going to be a Gran Turismo (GT), is going to be a plug-in hybrid – so we will not have an electric vehicle in the foreseeable future.”
The Lanzador concept still shapes the new model
The upcoming PHEV model is expected to closely follow the Lanzador concept in both design and positioning, although Mr. Winkelmann said the name is not yet locked in for production.
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He noted the company hopes to retain the Lanzador name, which aligns with Lamborghini’s tradition of naming models after famous bullfighters. While stepping back from its EV ambitions, Lamborghini insists the decision was taken only after careful consideration of global economic, political, and regulatory conditions.
Mr. Winkelmann said, “This decision is the decision we have taken by looking very carefully at what is happening around the globe, geopolitical situations, and political decisions. We have to be aware of the fact that we have to deliver what our customers desire – we don’t see in the short and medium term any change to this way of thinking.”
By the end of the decade, Lamborghini expects its entire four-model lineup, comprising the Urus SUV, Revuelto V12 flagship, Temerario V8 supercar, and the new GT, to use plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Combustion engines are still central to Lamborghini’s identity
Earlier this year, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, Rouven Mohr, reinforced the brand’s commitment to internal combustion engines, stating the company intends to preserve the emotional character of its cars for as long as legislation and customer demand allow.
Mr Mohr said: “If you speak about the future of combustion, for sure, for us, we are aiming to continue as long as possible. We still think that we have a lot of ideas to transport, let me say, the combustion future.”
This philosophy underpins Lamborghini’s current hybridisation strategy, which retains high-revving petrol engines alongside electric assistance to meet emissions targets without diluting performance or engagement.
Record sales support cautious approach
Lamborghini’s measured EV strategy comes amid strong financial performance, with the brand recording its fifth consecutive year of global sales growth in 2025.
Total deliveries reached a record 10,747 units worldwide, including 272 sales in Australia, just one unit fewer than the previous year, led once again by the Urus SUV.
With sales momentum strong and customer appetite for electrified combustion powertrains still robust, Lamborghini appears in no rush to abandon the engines that define its identity, even as rivals accelerate towards an all-electric future.
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