Why is Lamborghini Shifting From All-Electric to Hybrid?

When Lamborghini revealed its new Lanzador in August 2023 it was presented as an all-electric concept destined to become the brand’s first full EV. 

The model was launched under the Italian marque’s ‘Direzion Cor Tauri’ strategy, a plan designed to electrify its models and decarbonise production. In line with this approach, the Lanzador was built around a high-performance battery and “over one megawatt” of power.

However, the EV market has altered since the strategy was announced and, while sales continue to rise, momentum has cooled in key Western markets. 

This has coincided with hybrid vehicles regaining appeal with consumers over all-electric models and a change in policy signals – long-term decarbonisation goals are in place yet several near-term frameworks have become more flexible, which could allow a bigger role for hybrids and synthetic-fuel alternatives. 

For Lamborghini there is also the small matter of customers still wanting “the sound and the emotion” of internal combustion engines, according to CEO Stephan Winkelmann who spoke to the BBC.

Evolving market and Lanzador's powertrain

The plan to pursue a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) future has seemingly been on Stephan’s agenda for some time. 

In December 2024 he told reporters at Lamborghini's Bolognese HQ that the planned 2029 launch for the Lanzador was based on pervading trends. 

“We do not think 2029 is too late to have an electric car,” he said. “We do not think that in our segment the market will be ready in 2025 or 2026.”

In other interviews Stephan has discussed a possible deviation from an all-electric path. He has stated that Lamborghini will decide imminently whether the Lanzador will follow its original all-electric design or be developed as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). 

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

He added: “When it comes to our cars [customers] don’t see BEV as an alternative today. We could do a BEV but I think it is a bad offer for the next few years.”

Hybrid power and emissions strategy

Stephan pointed to changing global policies around vehicle emissions as a key factor in the company’s decision: “We will meet Euro 7 [emissions targets] which is a huge step. But in the US we have different rules for example. We have to start flexible and alert in this sense. It is more favourable to continue to do PHEV cars,” he explained. 

Stephan also confirmed that Lamborghini’s V12 internal combustion engine, which powers its Revuelto model, will continue to be manufactured after 2030.

In an interview with the BBC, Stephan said a decline in demand for electric cars gives Lamborghini an opportunity to focus on hybrid power, stating: “Today, enthusiasm for electric cars is going down.

“We see a huge opportunity to stay with internal combustion engines and a battery system much longer than expected.” 

He described the ongoing use of internal combustion engines for another decade as “paramount for the success of the company”.

Despite this potential change in direction he said Lamborghini remains socially responsible, but argued its status as a low-volume luxury manufacturer means its actions have a limited environmental impact. 

Lamborghini manufactured 10,687 cars in 2024. For comparison Toyota, the world’s largest hybrid car maker, sold 10 million cars globally with around 40% of those being hybrid vehicles. 

All three models in the Lamborghini line-up the Revuelto, Urus SE and Temerario are plug-in hybrids. "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," Stephan told the BBC.

Divergent paths in luxury electrification

Lamborghini’s long-standing rival Ferrari appears to be following a different strategy. 

The marque headquartered just an hour’s drive from Lamborghini is developing its first all-electric car. 

Ferrari demonstrated key components of the car known as Elettrica on 9 October. 

It says the model is “the culmination of a long journey of technological research into electrification that began with the first hybrid solutions derived from the 2009 Formula 1 car”.

Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, explained Ferrari's approach: “Ferrari’s unique positioning lies at the crossroads of heritage technology and racing. Our founder’s teachings, his visionary spirit, his ambition to audaciously redefine the limits of possible and his deeply rooted passion for motor sport all continue to define who we are today and guide our ambitions for the decade ahead." 

Ferrari's Elettrica is scheduled to be unveiled in the Spring of 2026.