Lamborghini has hit the brakes on its first full-electric production effort, reportedly shelving the Lanzador EV even though the concept has been in the public eye since August 2023. CEO Stephan Winkelmann told The Sunday Times the decision actually came together last year after input from dealers, customers, executives, and internal market data. It’s a big pivot for a brand that has been carefully teasing its electrified future, but it also feels very on brand for Lamborghini to move only when it believes the timing is right.
The reasoning is simple and pretty hard to argue with if you know Lamborghini buyers. Winkelmann pointed to the idea that customers come to the brand for emotional products, and a huge part of that emotion is the soundtrack and character of a combustion engine. In his view, today’s EVs still struggle to deliver that same connection, and Lamborghini plans to keep internal-combustion engines around for as long as it can. He also framed full EV development as a risky bet for a small company if the market and customer base are not truly ready.
That doesn’t mean Lamborghini is walking away from electrification altogether. Instead, the Lanzador nameplate is expected to be replaced by a plug-in hybrid model down the road, and the company still wants its lineup to be electrified by 2030. Winkelmann’s stance was essentially “never say never” on a pure EV, but for the foreseeable future, the focus is on PHEVs while the brand continues developing the technology in the background.
Zoom out, and this is another sign of how fast the industry’s mood can swing. Canceling a near-complete vehicle program is expensive and painful, but it can also be a signal that manufacturers are reassessing what customers actually want versus what the broader narrative says they should want. For Lamborghini, the message is clear: keep the drama, keep the performance, keep the engine feel, and use plug-in hybrid tech as the bridge until the EV world can match the same visceral spark.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
