Is Lamborghini's first electric car dead before it's even born?

In December, Lamborghini announced that the market launch of its first electric car, based on the Lanzador concept unveiled in 2023, would be delayed. Instead of the originally planned 2028, the model will now appear in 2029. This is due to the global decline in demand for high-priced electric vehicles. Now, CEO Stephan Winkelmann has even hinted that the Lanzador may no longer be a pure electric car at all.

"We made two decisions because the acceptance curve for electric cars is flattening worldwide—and not just in our segment. And this is even more true in our case," Winkelmann told the Australian publication CarExpert .

"First, the successor to the Urus will again be a plug-in hybrid. And second, we are postponing the launch of our fourth model," the Lamborghini boss continued.

In addition to delaying the Lanzador, Lamborghini has also revised its original plans to offer the next Urus as a purely electric vehicle. Instead, the SUV will now also be available as a plug-in hybrid.

When asked whether the Lanzador could ultimately come onto the market with a plug-in drive, Winkelmann did not rule out this option.

"We have to decide soon which direction we're going in. Today, it's quite possible that it will be a plug-in hybrid—but that's still completely open," he said.

This stance marks a significant change of course. Just a few years ago, Lamborghini had ambitious plans to launch a purely electric vehicle as a production model. Instead, the company is now consistently focusing on hybridization: First came the Revuelto super sports car with hybrid drive, followed by the Urus SE. With the Temerario, introduced this year, the portfolio is complete for the time being.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept

Exactly when a Lamborghini EV will arrive remains open. Winkelmann emphasizes that timing is crucial.

"We said from the beginning: We don't have to be the first—but we have to be there when customers are ready to buy such vehicles," he told CarExpert. "And in my view, that's crucial to the success of a company like ours."

"We are a technology-driven company, but you always have to keep people's emotional side in mind—including that of second-time buyers. Because performance isn't just measured by acceleration or top speed, but also by emotion."

Lamborghini will also continue to use the combustion engine – as long as it is legally permitted. So-called e-fuels could be a key to this.

"When sustainable fuels arrive, this presents a great opportunity to preserve the combustion engine," says Winkelmann. "Furthermore, the central message should be: We'll keep it as long as possible – at least in our two supercars."