Lamborghini’s chief executive says the brand’s future still belongs to the roar and emotion of petrol engines. The Italian supercar maker plans to keep combustion alive for at least another decade before turning fully electric.
Fading hype around electric dreams
At Lamborghini’s London showroom, CEO Stephan Winkelmann said interest in electric vehicles is falling. He sees this as a chance to strengthen Lamborghini’s focus on hybrid innovation instead of pure electric power.
Within weeks, the company will decide whether its upcoming grand tourer, the Lanzador, will be fully electric or a plug-in hybrid. Winkelmann said Lamborghini remains socially responsible but noted that, as a low-volume manufacturer, its effect on global emissions is small.
Hybrid power drives the lineup
Lamborghini, part of the Volkswagen Group, currently offers three main models. The Temerario and Revuelto are plug-in hybrid supercars that merge powerful petrol engines with electric motors. They can run short distances on electricity but focus on performance and emotion.
The Urus, Lamborghini’s luxury SUV, comes as both a plug-in hybrid and a petrol model. It may be less dramatic than the supercars, but it represents over half of Lamborghini’s total sales.
For the brand’s most devoted fans, the Fenomeno sets the bar for exclusivity. With a top speed of over 215 mph, only 30 will ever be built. Each costs at least €3 million before taxes.
Electric future put on hold
Two years ago, Lamborghini announced plans for an all-electric successor to the Urus by 2029. That project is now delayed until at least 2035.
The Lanzador, once planned as an electric grand tourer, is also under review. Winkelmann said the brand is weighing whether to stick with its original plan or switch to a hybrid design.
“Today, enthusiasm for electric cars is going down,” he said. “We see a big opportunity to keep internal combustion and batteries working together longer than expected.”
The sound of passion
Winkelmann insists that Lamborghini’s spirit lives in the noise, power, and feel of its engines. “Our customers still want the sound, the vibration, and the emotion of combustion,” he said.
That stance contrasts sharply with rival Ferrari, which will launch its first all-electric model, the Elettrica, next year. Ferrari promises to preserve its trademark soul and driving thrill — only without the sound.
A small footprint, a strong voice
Winkelmann said Lamborghini remains aware of environmental concerns but puts its role in perspective. “We sell 10,000 cars in a world producing 80 million each year, so our CO₂ impact is minimal,” he explained.
He added, “We are socially responsible, but our overall influence is limited.”
From 2035, new petrol and diesel cars — including plug-in hybrids — will be banned across the EU and the UK. However, carmakers are lobbying for a slower transition to reflect current industrial challenges.
If the deadlines shift, combustion engines could stay on the market longer. The UK will also continue to allow small-volume manufacturers, like Lamborghini — which sold 795 cars there last year — to sell petrol models beyond 2035.
