Lamborghini Cancels Lanzador EV and Urus EV Plans, Shifts Focus to Plug-In Hybrid Supercars

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2026 — Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has defended the company’s decision to cancel its planned fully electric Lanzador and an all-electric successor to the Urus, saying the shift away from pure EVs was “the right way to go” for the Italian supercar brand.

The decision marks a major change in Lamborghini’s electrification strategy, especially after the Lanzador concept was originally revealed as a preview of the brand’s first full electric vehicle. The concept made its debut in August 2023 and was expected to enter production in 2028 as part of Lamborghini’s wider electrification roadmap.

According to Paul Tan, Winkelmann said Lamborghini’s move from traditional internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrid technology had worked well for the company. He explained that the brand had been closely observing market acceptance for EVs and found that demand among its specific customer base was not increasing strongly enough.

Winkelmann said Lamborghini decided to move away from a fully electric car and instead focus on plug-in hybrids because the acceptance curve for EVs among its customers remained weak. This suggests that Lamborghini buyers still place high value on emotional driving elements such as engine sound, mechanical feedback and traditional supercar character.

The Lanzador was originally introduced as a high-riding 2+2 grand tourer concept with a dual-motor electric setup producing around 1,360PS. It was designed to preview a new type of Lamborghini that combined supercar performance, everyday usability and pure-electric technology.

However, Lamborghini has now changed direction. While the Lanzador will no longer become a fully electric model as first planned, it is still expected to remain part of the company’s future line-up in plug-in hybrid form.

The same applies to the Urus. Lamborghini had earlier planned to introduce a fully electric successor to its high-performance SUV around 2029. If that plan had continued, the brand would have had two full EVs in its range by the end of the decade. That strategy has now been replaced with a stronger focus on hybrid performance.

At present, Lamborghini already offers several plug-in hybrid models. The Revuelto, which replaced the Aventador, is a plug-in hybrid V12 supercar. The Temerario, successor to the Huracan, also uses hybrid power, while the Urus is available in plug-in hybrid form through the Urus SE.

Lamborghini’s current direction fits within its wider Direzione Cor Tauri electrification programme. The strategy was created to reduce emissions while keeping the brand’s performance identity, with Lamborghini confirming that hybridisation began with the Revuelto and continued through the Urus and Huracan replacement.

The decision also reflects a broader challenge in the luxury performance car market. While many mainstream brands continue pushing full EVs, some high-end performance brands are facing resistance from buyers who still prefer combustion engines or hybrid systems over fully electric drivetrains.

For Lamborghini, the issue is not only about speed. Electric cars can deliver extreme acceleration, but supercar buyers often expect more than straight-line performance. Sound, drama, gear changes, engine response and emotional connection remain important parts of the ownership experience.

This is why plug-in hybrid technology may be a better short-term solution for the brand. It allows Lamborghini to reduce emissions and improve performance while still keeping combustion engines as part of the driving experience.

The Revuelto is an example of that strategy. It combines a naturally aspirated V12 engine with electric assistance, allowing Lamborghini to deliver more power while maintaining the sound and character expected from its flagship supercar.

The Urus SE also gives Lamborghini a way to electrify its best-selling SUV without fully removing the combustion engine. This approach allows the company to satisfy regulatory pressure while still appealing to customers who want a traditional performance SUV experience.

Winkelmann’s comments also come at a time when rival supercar brands are taking different approaches to electrification. Ferrari, for example, is moving ahead with its own electric strategy, while Lamborghini appears more cautious about launching a full EV too early.

Winkelmann declined to comment directly on Ferrari’s EV plans, saying each company must decide its own strategy. However, his remarks make it clear that Lamborghini is prioritising customer demand and brand identity over rushing into a fully electric product.

The decision to cancel the Lanzador EV and Urus EV does not mean Lamborghini is abandoning electrification completely. Instead, the brand is choosing a slower and more selective approach, using plug-in hybrids as the main bridge between combustion engines and a possible electric future.

This strategy could help Lamborghini protect its image as a performance brand while still adapting to emissions regulations. It also gives the company more time to wait for EV battery technology, charging infrastructure and customer acceptance to mature.

For now, Lamborghini appears confident that plug-in hybrids are the best solution for its customers. The brand’s future models are expected to continue blending electric assistance with combustion engines rather than immediately moving into full EV territory.

The move may also prove important commercially. Luxury supercar buyers are different from mainstream EV buyers, and many still see engine sound and mechanical sensation as part of the value they are paying for.

By delaying full EVs, Lamborghini may avoid launching a product before its customer base is ready. At the same time, the company can continue developing electrified technology without risking the emotional appeal that defines its cars.

Overall, Lamborghini’s decision shows that the supercar industry is not moving toward electrification at the same speed as the mass-market car sector. For brands built on emotion, sound and driving drama, the transition to full EVs remains more complicated.