Lamborghini has become the latest luxury automaker to acknowledge that there’s simply no demand for exclusive, high-priced electric vehicles.
CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed this week that Lamborghini is shelving its all-electric Lanzador and shifting focus to plug-in hybrid models. Winkelmann stated that the appeal of battery-powered cars among Lamborghini’s target market was “close to zero.”
Lamborghini introduced the 1,341-horsepower “Ultra GT” – its fourth electric vehicle – in 2023. The car was slated for a 2029 launch with an [unspecified detail], but Lamborghini quietly discontinued the all-electric model at the end of 2025.
“This decision followed over a year of ongoing internal discussions, engagement with customers and dealers, and analysis of market and global data,” Winkelmann said.
“Investing heavily in full-EV development when the market and customer base aren’t ready would be a costly hobby and financially irresponsible to shareholders, customers, and our employees and their families,” he added.
Lamborghini did not respond to ’s request for comment.
Lamborghini joins a growing list of luxury brands scaling back or delaying battery-powered vehicles. In 2024, its Volkswagen-owned sibling Bentley pushed back [a deadline] from 2030 to 2035, while Porsche announced in September 2025 it would significantly [reduce efforts], abandoning plans to build its own EV battery. The following month, Ferrari revealed it would cut its initial goal of 40% fully electric vehicle sales by the end of the decade to 20%. However, as of this month, Ferrari still plans to release its [EV model] in 2028.
Premium carmakers have likewise stepped back from EV production, including [Stellantis], owner of Chrysler, Jeep, and Fiat, which [took action] earlier this month. Ford announced in December 2025 it would [adjust plans] as it pivoted away from all-electric vehicles – including scrapping the fully electric F-150 Lightning. CEO Jim Farley said the company would instead shift to more affordable and hybrid models. Ford unveiled plans this month to launch an EV pickup next year.
Why no one wants a luxury EV
The struggles of high-end brands do not reflect the broader EV industry. EV registrations rose 20% in 2025, according to [a source], with a 17% increase in China and a 33% jump in Europe. North America, by contrast, saw a 4% drop in sales. That said, the consultancy did not anticipate sustained demand growth following an easing of global electrification targets and [other factors].
Winkelmann noted that sluggish demand for luxury EVs stems not just from macroeconomic and political factors, but also from the cars being strategically less appealing than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. He pointed out that customers miss the growling, revving sound of gas-powered vehicles with noisy ICEs. (Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna vowed in 2024 to [recreate that sound] via a patented amplification system.)
“In their current form, EVs struggle to deliver this specific emotional connection,” Winkelmann said.
He argued that hybrid cars offer more eco-friendly features while retaining some of the key appeals of gas-powered vehicles.
“Plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds, combining the agility and low-rev boost of electric battery technology with the emotion and power output of an internal combustion engine,” Winkelmann said.
Still, luxury car brands may not be able to avoid the shift to all-electric entirely. The U.K. government intends to [ban new gas cars] by 2030. In the European Union, new gas-powered vehicles will [face restrictions], and by 2030, new cars must achieve a 55% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Lamborghini is exempt from these regulations through 2035 as a small-volume manufacturer, and the company has lobbied regulators by arguing its environmental impact is minimal due to the few units on the road. Winkelmann said Lamborghini supercars are driven fewer than 2,000 miles per year. He told the Times that by 2030, Lamborghini will still offer an all-plug-in hybrid lineup.
“The automotive industry has a major task ahead,” Winkelmann said. “Everyone’s talking about 2035, but 2030 is a critical, dangerous date due to emissions. And in my opinion, this isn’t clear enough today.”
Winkelmann hinted that consumers haven’t seen the last of a battery-powered Lamborghini – but don’t expect it to hit the streets anytime soon.
“We’re living in fast-paced times; if you don’t react quickly, you risk going out of business or losing momentum,” he said. “Never say never, but only when the time is right.”