Is Lamborghini right to stick with ICE cars for now?

In an era where most carmakers are racing to electrify, Lamborghini has signalled it will continue running high-performance combustion engines for at least the next decade. Chief executive Stephan Winkelmann says its customers still crave “the sound and the emotion” of a petrol engine, and that hybrid power – rather than full electrification – is the immediate path forward.

While hybrids allow Lamborghini to tick some environmental boxes, full electric models like the Urus successor and the planned Lanzador GT have been delayed until at least 2035. For now, the company is focusing on hybrids that deliver the brand’s signature roar and performance, rather than rushing into a silent EV future.

Both the UK and EU plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 as part of broader net-zero ambitions. On paper, that sounds like the end of the road for internal combustion engines.

However, the situation is more nuanced. In the UK, manufacturers registering fewer than 2,500 new cars a year, including Lamborghini, qualify for a “low-volume” exemption. These rules could give supercar makers some breathing space, at least temporarily.

Current technology doesn’t align with Lamborghini’s “DNA”

Lamborghini has been clear: it’s in no rush to abandon the combustion engine. Its current line-up, including the Revuelto and Temerario, pairs powerful petrol engines with electric motors, delivering hybrid performance while maintaining the visceral engine note.

Winkelmann has said fully electric Lamborghinis will arrive only when the technology can deliver the brand’s DNA. Until then, the company is doubling down on hybrid power and low-volume ICE models for a loyal fanbase that still values noise, drama, and emotion over silent efficiency.

In other words, Lamborghini isn’t trying to lead the EV race… it’s trying to outlast it, while keeping its character intact.

Lamborghini customers want drama – but for how long?

Electric powertrains deliver instant torque and speed, but they add weight, alter handling, and remove the soundtrack that defines Lamborghini’s identity. Lamborghini buyers aren’t seeking quiet practicality… they crave a car that delivers emotion, excitement, and a commanding presence on the road.

Right now, that works in Lamborghini’s favour, but public opinion is shifting. As governments tighten climate targets and public attitudes toward emissions harden, the optics of ultra-rich buyers enjoying a “pollution pass” may become difficult to defend.

It’s not hard to imagine a future where even Lamborghini’s loyal customers feel pressured – socially, not just legislatively – to go electric. The question may become less about whether Lamborghini can keep selling ICE cars, and more about whether its customers still want to be seen buying them.

Is Lamborghini right not to rush?

So, is Lamborghini right to stick with ICE for now? Probably, at least for them.

Rushing to electrify could dilute what makes the brand special. By taking its time, Lamborghini can watch battery tech mature, e-fuels evolve, and regulations shift. But the clock is ticking.

If it waits too long though, even the most passionate fans may move on – not necessarily because the government forces them to, but because public perception and social pressure make the combustion engine feel out of step with the times.