Will Lamborghini Swap Its EV Strategy For Hybrid Cars?

Luxury car manufacturer Lamborghini is reconsidering its all-electric vehicle strategy.

Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann suggests market dynamics may lead Lamborghini to favour plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology for its upcoming Lanzador model.

This marks a potential move from the all-electric Lanzador concept introduced in August 2023. The original concept was a key part of Lamborghini's 'Direzion Cor Tauri' electrification strategy.

The Lanzador concept featured a high-performance battery with "over one megawatt" of power.

Since its announcement, the EV market has evolved. The rate of EV adoption has slowed in some Western markets while consumer interest in hybrids has resurged.

Policy changes have also created a larger role for hybrids and synthetic fuels in decarbonisation plans.

Stephan told the BBC that Lamborghini customers still want the “sound and the emotion” of internal combustion engines.

EV strategy and market readiness

Lamborghini's EV timeline has been a core part of its strategic planning. Stephan previously stated that a 2029 launch for an electric Lanzador was not “too late” believing the luxury segment would not be ready for EVs in 2025 or 2026.

He has since signalled a potential deviation from the all-electric plan.

Speaking to Autocar, Stephan confirmed: “With Lanzador, we need to decide whether it will be a PHEV or electric in the next few weeks.”

He believes that for Lamborghini's customers, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are not yet a suitable option. “We could do a BEV but I think it is a bad offer for the next few years.” Stephan also cited shifting global emissions policies as a factor favouring the flexibility of PHEVs.

Hybrid focus over mass market electrification

Stephan told the BBC that the slowing demand for EVs presents an opportunity for Lamborghini to focus on hybrids for longer.

“Today, enthusiasm for electric cars is going down,” he said. “We see a huge opportunity to stay with internal combustion engines and a battery system much longer than expected.”

He called the continued use of combustion engines “paramount for the success of the company”.

Despite this change, Stephan affirmed Lamborghini's commitment to social responsibility, while noting its limited environmental impact as a low-volume manufacturer. In 2024, Lamborghini produced just 10,687 cars.

"We are selling 10,000 cars in a world that is producing 80 million cars a year, so our impact in terms of CO2 emissions is not that important," he explained.

Lamborghini's current lineup, owned by Volkswagen AG, already includes several plug-in hybrids, such as the Revuelto supercar, the Urus SE and the forthcoming Temerario.

Diverging paths in the luxury car sector

In contrast, Lamborghini’s rival Ferrari is pursuing a different path. Ferrari is proceeding with its first all-electric car, Elettrica, planned for a 2026 unveiling.

Ferrari described the model as “the culmination of a long journey of technological research into electrification”.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna emphasised Ferrari's blend of heritage, technology and racing as the driving force behind its ambitions. This firm commitment to a BEV model presents a clear strategic contrast to Lamborghini’s more flexible, hybrid-focused approach.