Ferrari’s First Electric Car: Coming 2026
Ferrari aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. While it remains committed to its internal combustion engines (ICE), the company is currently shifting towards electrification. Although Ferrari has yet to release its first fully electric car, by 2026, 60% of Ferrari’s fleet will comprise electric and hybrid cars. To facilitate this transition, Ferrari has established a purpose-built factory primarily for manufacturing electric motors, battery packs, and power inverters.
Despite just embarking on its electric car journey, Ferrari plans to continue selling its engine cars for as long as possible. However, it is anticipated that only 20% of annual sales will be ICE cars, with 40% being plug-in hybrids, and the remaining 40% consisting of pure EVs.
In this blog, we will explore everything we know about Ferrari’s first electric car, including its price, performance, and what to expect.
Hybrid Ferrari Models: The Current Lineup
Ferrari currently offers several hybrid models, including the LaFerrari, LaFerrari Aperta, SF90 Stradale, and 296 GTB. There are many performance benefits associated with a hybrid or electric Ferrari powertrain, such as:
Torque: With a hybrid or electric model, you benefit from near-immediate torque whenever you accelerate. The SF90 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and the LaFerrari can do the same in 2.4 seconds.
Regenerative braking: This feature, which is not available in ICE cars, makes a significant difference to the overall driving experience. Regenerative braking captures the thermal energy from the car’s brakes and uses it to power the battery.
Lower centre of gravity: EVs have a lower centre of gravity than their diesel or petrol counterparts due to the weight of the batteries. This can improve handling, which is a significant positive in terms of driving dynamics.
This image has been sourced from TheSupercarBlog
What do we know about the first electric Ferrari?
Ferrari is beginning a significant shift towards electrification, reflecting the broader automotive industry's move towards sustainable technologies. Here’s what we know so far about the first electric Ferrari.
Cost and Release Date
Ferrari’s first electric car is estimated to cost €500,000 (which equates to around £420,000) and several thousand miles of on-road testing have already been completed. Ferrari has confirmed that the electric car will go on sale in 2026, though specific details about the vehicle are still under wraps.
Design and Manufacturing
The shape of the EV has not yet been revealed, but the car will be built at a new factory located at Ferrari’s existing base in Maranello. Engineers are currently working on 'sound signatures' for the electric vehicles to evoke emotions comparable to those produced by its combustion engines. Ferrari promises that its first EV will deliver an “authentic noise,” maintaining the brand's legacy since the first car rolled out of the factory gates in 1947. Engineers are currently working on 'sound signatures' for the electric vehicles to evoke emotions comparable to those produced by its combustion engines. Pretence is not part of the Ferrari modus operandi. At Maranello, they like to keep things real.
The new factory will initially be used to iron out bugs in the production process over the rest of this year before building the new SF90 cars, which Ferrari describes as its most complicated models until they are ready to be joined by the new EV. At Ferrari, the focus is on value over volume. The new factory is based in Maranello and will give Ferrari an additional vehicle assembly line. A source told Reuters that it will be fully operational in three to four months.
CEO Insights
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has been tight-lipped about the new supercar, only saying, “It’s going to be a Ferrari, and we can say one thing - it will have four wheels.” Ferrari is developing its own powertrain technology, except for the battery cells, which can be adapted as the technology evolves.
According to AutoExpress, Vigna mentioned that there is no customer resistance to Ferrari going electric: “If demand was only for ICE, we wouldn’t sell hybrids… We have people asking when they can order an EV, and people saying they will not become a Ferrari fan until we have an EV. Some people say they won’t buy an EV; others say they only want to buy an EV. There are all kinds of people, and it is not a battle between them.”
Future Models and Industry Context
According to Reuters, a second EV model is also under development, though the process is still in its early stages. The company may not aim to increase overall production to 20,000 vehicles per year in the short term. Rival Lamborghini plans to start selling its first EV model in 2028, with CEO Stephan Winkelmann stating it is more important to have the right product than to be the first.
These types of purchases are heavily influenced by emotion, and high-end brands may struggle to engage their typically petrol-fanatic audience. Ferrari believes in the importance of timing, as Vigna puts it: “People buy a Ferrari because when they buy a Ferrari, they have a lot of fun. They don't buy a Ferrari because of A, B, C, D, or a single element. It's a combination of things. When we do electric cars, we will produce them in the right way."
Has the New Ferrari Been Taken for a Test Drive?
The EV is due to be released late next year, and sales are expected to start in 2026. This timeline aligns with recent sightings of camouflaged Ferrari prototypes undergoing testing around Maranello in Italy. These test drives have been using Maserati Levante bodies. It is unclear whether the final production model will share any resemblance to an SUV.
Appeal to Enthusiasts and Innovation
By introducing an EV now, Ferrari aims to appeal to both Ferrari enthusiasts and the tech-savvy generation. Staying true to its racing heritage, Ferrari focuses on weight saving, performance, and a unique driving experience. This is achieved by integrating handcrafted battery modules into the chassis of the cars produced in Maranello.
Will the Ferrari be available to salary sacrifice?
At The Electric Car Scheme, we are an EV salary sacrifice scheme. We want to support more people through the transition to net zero by making it easy, affordable and simple for customers to say “yes” to switching to an electric car. Salary sacrifice makes this possible, allowing employees to save 30-60% on any electric car by reducing their salary in exchange for an electric car as a benefit. Every company in the UK can help their employees on their journey to net zero by offering The Electric Car Scheme as an employee benefit. It comes at no cost to the employer to set up and run.
One of the many positives of The Electric Car Scheme is that we have access to the top leasing companies to ensure the best prices are available. The best prices are essential to achieve good employee uptake. We are usually able to get access to the newest electric cars as soon as they come out due to our relationships with leasing companies. This means the new electric Ferrari should be available for salary sacrifice once it hits the road in 2026.
if you’re interested in offering a valuable employee benefit, which will help with retention and ESG goals - look no further than offering The Electric Car Scheme. There are no set up or running costs because, at The Electric Car Scheme, our fee is equivalent to your employer’s tax savings, so you can run the scheme at no cost to your business! Learn more about how the scheme works by visiting our page dedicated to businesses like yours!
Last updated: 01/08/2024
