Lamborghini is not ready to give up on internal combustion just yet. As the automotive world races toward electrification, the iconic Italian supercar maker is cautiously exploring synthetic fuels—also known as e-fuels—as a potential lifeline for its beloved gas-powered engines beyond 2030.
While the company is already transitioning toward hybridization, with the plug-in hybrid Revuelto leading the charge and successors to the Huracán and Urus following suit, Lamborghini is deliberately taking a measured approach when it comes to fully electric vehicles. The first EV in its lineup, the Lanzador, is expected to launch in 2028, with an all-electric second-generation Urus planned for 2029. Until then—and possibly even beyond—the roar of the combustion engine may continue to echo through Lamborghini’s lineup.
According to CEO Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini is currently investing in its own research into synthetic fuels, rather than relying solely on the work being done by Porsche, which is part of the larger Volkswagen Group. This move reflects Lamborghini’s desire to maintain a level of independence and to explore tailor-made fuel solutions that align with the high-performance demands of its vehicles. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, synthetic fuels are created using renewable electricity, water, and carbon dioxide extracted from the air, potentially resulting in a carbon-neutral combustion process.
Winkelmann sees synthetic fuel not necessarily as a competitor to electrification, but as a complementary strategy—one that could allow Lamborghini to retain the visceral, mechanical feel of its current models while still complying with tightening emissions regulations. If the technology proves scalable, efficient, and economically viable, it could give internal combustion engines a new lease on life.
This cautious optimism is rooted in the uncertainty surrounding the future of e-fuels. While the technology is promising, it’s still in its early stages and faces significant hurdles, including high production costs and unclear regulatory frameworks. “We are monitoring this development closely,” Winkelmann said, emphasizing that the brand is not in a rush to fully abandon combustion engines. “We still have a couple of years to decide if this path will be viable for us.”
Even as Lamborghini moves forward with hybrid and EV models, some of its future vehicles with internal combustion engines could remain in production well into the 2030s—particularly if e-fuel solutions become a reality. The current models have relatively long life cycles, and Lamborghini is positioning itself to keep the door open for combustion-powered performance, especially if synthetic fuel gains traction among regulators and consumers.
The broader automotive industry is watching this space closely. The European Union has already carved out a narrow exemption that could allow the continued sale of combustion vehicles running exclusively on e-fuels after the 2035 ICE ban. If more governments adopt similar stances and synthetic fuels become cost-effective, companies like Lamborghini may be able to preserve an essential part of their identity: the raw, unfiltered experience of a roaring engine.
For now, Lamborghini is hedging its bets—moving toward electrification while simultaneously exploring technological alternatives that could extend the life of its gasoline engines. In a landscape of regulatory change and technological disruption, the company is committed to innovation without sacrificing its heritage.
Do synthetic fuels offer a real alternative to EVs, or are they just a way for legacy brands to delay change?