Ferrari is delaying the launch of its second electric vehicle (EV) to at least 2028, pushing back internal targets amid tepid consumer interest in high-performance battery-powered cars. The delay, first reported by Reuters, highlights growing challenges facing ultra-luxury automakers in the transition to electric mobility.
According to sources familiar with Ferrari’s internal roadmap, the Maranello-based automaker originally planned to introduce its second EV in late 2026. That timeline has now been pushed back by at least two years. The decision is primarily driven by low market demand for fully electric sports cars, which struggle to match the visceral appeal of traditional Ferrari models powered by internal combustion engines.
Ferrari has declined to officially comment on the reports, but insiders say that while technological development is ongoing, the company sees no clear business case for launching another high-performance EV until there is stronger customer appetite.
One source told Reuters that demand for electric Ferraris is currently “zero,” and that the second EV is viewed internally as a future “game changer” rather than a near-term product.
First EV Still on Track for 2026
Despite the setback, Ferrari’s first all-electric model remains on track. It will be revealed in a staged rollout beginning this October, with a full public debut planned for spring 2026 and deliveries expected to begin in October of that year.
The first EV, reportedly co-designed by former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, will be a larger-than-usual Ferrari but not an SUV. The model is expected to cost over US$500,000 and will serve as a low-volume, symbolic milestone to demonstrate Ferrari’s EV capabilities while fulfilling its promise to launch an electric car by 2026, but also delaying its initial expectations of having electric and hybrid models account for 80% of its sales by 2030.
Performance Concerns Dampen EV Enthusiasm
Automakers across the luxury and performance segments have cited weight, power delivery, and lack of engine noise as barriers to widespread EV adoption. For brands like Ferrari, where auditory experience and driving dynamics are integral to the brand identity, these limitations are particularly impactful.
Ferrari’s Italian peers are facing similar headwinds. Lamborghini has delayed the debut of its first EV to 2029, while Maserati recently scrapped its plans for an electric version of the MC20 supercar. Even Porsche, which has led the charge into electric performance, has cut back production of its Taycan and electric Macan models due to softening demand.
Strategic Shift or Temporary Stall?
Ferrari had initially forecast EVs to account for around 5% of its sales by 2026. With the delayed rollout, that projection is increasingly unlikely to materialize. However, the automaker appears content to take a cautious approach, allowing more time to refine its proprietary EV technology.
The company is reportedly developing a virtual gearbox and simulated exhaust system to emulate the sensory experience of its gas-powered vehicles—a nod to how seriously Ferrari takes its legacy, even in the electric age.
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