Lamborghini banking on synthetic fuels to avoid going all-EV
Italian supercar brand hopes e-fuels will prolong the life of its V12s, but is still preparing to switch to battery power in 2036Lamborghini hopes the emergence of synthetic fuels will help it prolong the life of its wild V12-powered creations and delay its inevitable transition to zero-emission EVs.
Following reports that Lamborghini will not downsize its V12 for the next-generation Aventador, and news that the Huracan replacement will remain combustion-powered and offer more than six cylinders, CEO Stephan Winkelmann said Lamborghini is in no rush to call time on its wild combustion engines.
Indeed, like sister brand Porsche, which is backing the construction of a $1 billion e-fuel plant that will produce up to 100 million litres of carbon-neutral synthetic fuel in Tasmania from 2026, Lamborghini now believes the future of its combustion models may be saved by e-fuel, which could be exempt from Europe’s ban on sales of new combustion-powered vehicles from 2035.
“It's a bit difficult, because the European Parliament decided earlier in the year that they will ban gas engines and diesel engines by 2035, and the smaller manufacturers like Lamborghini by 2036, so we don't need to decide now,” Lamborghini's global boss told Tech Crunch.
Heralding e-fuels as the saviour of internal combustion powered vehicles, Winkelmann said the introduction of synthetic alternatives to fossil fuels will provide opportunities for traditional non-electric supercars – but with one caveat: legislation would have to change in Europe for general acceptance of the new fuels.
If there's no legal framework for e-fuels, or a lack of general acceptance from buyers, Winkelmann said Lamborghini would continue with its plan to roll-out EVs from 2028 with the car-maker's first battery-powered SUV.
The Lambo boss also confirmed that the car-maker would launch its very last non-electrified models in the coming months, with two new variants of the Urus set to debut along with the unusual Huracan Sterrato crossover supercar that has already been spied testing.
To ensure it is ready for the switch to electrified powertrains by 2025, Lamborghini said it will invest €1.5 billion ($A2.2b) in R&D, with some of that cash used to develop ultra-lightweight composites to offset the inevitable weight-gain associated with using heavy batteries.
Related: Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato coming soon
Related: Tasmanian e-fuel to power Porsche cars from 2026
Related: Lamborghini to go full hybrid by 2024, first EV by 2030
Related: Germany supports combustion-car ban in Europe
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