Lamborghini is Developing its First All-Electric Luxury Supercar

Italian luxury carmaker Lamborghini is joining the revolution and has announced that there is a new electric supercar in development.

The Terzo Millennio, which translates to the Third Millennium, is just the latest in the trend of luxury car manufacturers developing electric models; other notable additions to the category include the Porsche Taycan, the Tesla Model S Plaid, the BMW i4, the Audi Q4 e-Tron, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

However, unlike the luxury electric cars already on the road, we’re going to have to wait for Lamborghini’s offering.

The brand has unveiled its plans for hybrid versions of its entire line and the creation of an electric supercar—but we may have to wait as long as 2030.

This announcement comes as a response to the global tightening of emissions: US President Joe Biden recently pledged to cut carbon emissions by 50-52 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, essentially doubling the previous US target. Even Australia, which is lagging behind many other countries, intends to cut emissions by 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Some of these targets will see sanctions and fines applied to companies that do not adopt electric vehicle technologies.

Lamborghini expects to have plug-in hybrid versions of its Aventador, Huracán and Urus models, as well as a select number of Sián roadsters, on the road within three years. The company also expects its completely new all-electric model within nine years.

As the all-electric model has only just begun development, we have little information available yet, but Lamborghini's website states that the design objectives are reduced weight and increased availability of electrical energy, thanks to composite structural materials and rechargeable batteries.

“The goal is to perfect nanomaterial technology, distributing nanocharges into the CFK panels that comprise the vehicle’s body and components,” says the brand. “Which will therefore act as electrical storage devices.

“Among the advantages of an electrical propulsion system is the possibility to power a system of electrical components through the use of cables. Lamborghini intends to exploit this opportunity to generate torque directly at the wheels.

“The challenge consists of creating a technology that allows the power density positioned inside the wheels to be increased to the level required by an all-wheel-drive super sports car, while simultaneously keeping unsprung mass under control.”

The brand will have to create a new sonic signature to replace the current Lamborghini V12 engine, “leaving behind no opportunity to generate a voice unique to the Terzo Millennio. The visionary design is the fullest expression of a completely new technology, incorporating redesigned aerodynamics, architecture and powertrain.”

The company first conceptualised the Terzo Millennio in 2017, which may provide an idea of the design. At the time the car was designed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and it included unusual features including a self-repairing process—not something we can expect to see in the finished model.

The company hasn’t yet clarified if it’s planning to completely cut production of its petrol-powered cars. While it has confirmed a 50 per cent-plus reduction of emissions by 2025, it is also planning a two-year celebration of the combustion engine, as a homage to the brand’s history.

While Lamborghini is a latecomer to the electric vehicle party, we’re yet to see any incursions from Ferrari and Aston Martin, though they have both committed to all-electric models in the future.

Love to see electric cars? You need to have a look at this UK brand that’s re-vamping classic models into electric.