CEO Ditches EV Supercar

Electric vehicle connected to a charging station — EV DREAM DIES

Lamborghini ditches its first fully electric supercar, branding EV development an “expensive hobby” amid vanishing luxury buyer demand.

Story Highlights

Lamborghini cancels 2028 Lanzador EV launch due to near-zero interest from supercar customers who crave the roar of an internal combustion engine.
CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirms pivot to plug-in hybrid version by 2029, prioritizing customer preferences over forced electrification.
Move echoes industry-wide pullbacks, such as Stellantis’ $26.5B EV writedown and Porsche’s losses, validating resistance in high-end markets.
Supercar buyers reject silent EVs for lacking emotional “visceral sound and feedback,” preserving Lamborghini’s sold-out sales streak.
Full hybrid lineup planned by 2029, keeping ICE alive “as long as possible” against global EV mandates.

CEO Confirms EV Cancellation

Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini CEO, announced in February 2026 the cancellation of the Lanzador fully electric vehicle originally set for 2029 production.

Internal customer data and dealer feedback revealed an “acceptance curve close to zero” for battery-electric powertrains in the luxury supercar segment.

Winkelmann labeled EV pursuits an “expensive hobby,” opting instead for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle version around 2029. This decision, made by late 2025, aligns with sold-out orders through 2024 and protects profitability.

Lamborghini scraps first EV launch, calls development 'expensive hobby' https://t.co/dNh2b6nRUv

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) February 24, 2026

Roots in 2023 Concept and Market Shift

Lamborghini unveiled the Lanzador as an electric concept at the 2023 Geneva International Motor Show in Qatar, aiming to lead supercar electrification under Volkswagen Group ownership via Audi. Global EV demand cooled sharply in luxury segments, contrasting mass-market gains like the Renault 5.

Buyers prioritize the “emotional experience” of internal combustion engines’ sound and feedback, which EVs cannot replicate. Precedents include doubts in October 2025 about Lanzador’s viability.

Industry-Wide Luxury EV Retreat

Lamborghini’s pivot mirrors broader pullbacks: Stellantis booked $26.5B in EV charges, GM took a $7B hit, Porsche suffered billions in losses, and Bentley delayed full-EV plans by five years. Mate Rimac reported poor Nevera sales.

Winkelmann emphasized keeping ICE engines “as long as possible,” planning hybrid revisions for Temerario, Revuelto, Urus, and Lanzador by 2029. This sustains brand appeal while avoiding unviable investments.

In the short term, Lamborghini reallocates resources to proven hybrids, dodging sunk costs and maintaining sales momentum.

In the long term, it delays pure EV entry until market maturity, shielding against luxury EV flops while Ferrari pushes ahead with its 1,000+ hp Luce in May 2026.

Customer-Driven Strategy Preserves Core Values

Supercar enthusiasts demand “pomp and circumstance” from roaring engines, rejecting EVs’ silence as emotionally deficient.

Winkelmann noted “never say never” for future EVs, but only when viable, echoing Car and Driver’s analysis of varying market temperatures.

T3 highlighted the 2023 concept’s style but irreplaceable sound. This customer-first approach reinforces traditional performance values against top-down pressures toward electrification.