Lamborghini is delaying its first EV, but it’s nothing to do with Ferrari’s Luce backlash

Lamborghini is feeling pretty good about its decision to delay the launch of its first electric car until sometime after 2030. However, the fierce public backlash and share price slump following the reveal of the Ferrari Luce EV earlier this week apparently isn’t the reason. 

The Lamborghini Lanzador that was originally slated to arrive in 2028 was to be the Italian outfit’s first petrol-free model and we now know it would have been a direct, if slightly higher-riding, rival to Ferrari’s Luce. 

But earlier this year, the company announced the ‘2+2 Ultra-GT’, as it calls it, would now be a plug-in hybrid, citing weak demand for EVs in the luxury super sports segment as the reason. Ferrari, in contrast, has fulfilled its promise of a zero-emission prancing horse – to a very mixed reception.

In an interview with Auto Express, Stefano Cossalter, product director for the Lamborghini Urus and forthcoming Lanzador, said: “We're not commenting on what other car manufacturers are doing, but we believe our strategy is the right one. 

“It's about the acceptance of [a Lamborghini EV] and the maturity of technology, because if we have to come out with an electric car, it has to be a masterpiece in terms of performance.” 

Cossalter acknowledges that there are plenty of fast electric cars out there, including more than a few from Chinese brands such as BYD and Xiaomi. However, straight-line acceleration is not all Lamborghini is interested in. He explained: “We believe that the technology is not yet mature enough to deliver the kind of emotion and performance an electric Lamborghini has to deliver.”

Cossalter quickly added: “I do like electric cars, don't get me wrong! It's not that I'm against them, quite the contrary. I really like, from an engineering standpoint, the precision, and the torque steer. You can really make a beautiful controlled car and make it a lot of fun. But we need to deliver emotions, as well as  proper performance for this car.”

Importantly, Lamborghini has not completely abandoned the idea of making an electric car, just postponed its plans. A spokesperson for the company told us earlier this year that, from a technological perspective, Lamborghini is “fully prepared for full electric”. This was reaffirmed by Cossalter, who said: “Of course, we didn't stop the development on batteries, cell chemistry and so on. This is still going.”

In the meantime, Lamborghini is doubling down on hybrid tech. As we mentioned, the Lanzador is still coming, but as a PHEV, and the next-generation Urus due in 2029 will also feature a plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain. It’s been confirmed the company will continue to produce its legendary V12 engine past 2030 as well. 

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