Synthetic Fuel Is Lamborghini’s Secret Weapon

If you thought Lamborghini was done with gas-powered engines, think again. The brand isn’t rushing into the electric future like everyone else, and there’s a good reason for that.

While most automakers are racing to go fully electric, Lamborghini is slowing things down. They’ve postponed their first EV and made it clear they plan to stick with combustion engines for as long as they can. However, it might not be traditional gas that powers them. Synthetic fuel could be the key to keeping the roar alive.

In an interview with CarExpert, Lamborghini’s tech chief Rouven Mohr called synthetic fuel the savior of the combustion engine. That might sound dramatic, but he has a point. Their new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine works just as well with synthetic fuel as it does with regular gas. And unlike most EVs, it still delivers that thrilling, emotional driving experience.

Mohr said electric cars will eventually catch up on that front, but not yet. He believes younger enthusiasts will eventually look back and realize how cool combustion engines were.

What’s pushing this thinking is the upcoming 2035 EU ban on new cars that emit harmful pollutants. But there’s a loophole—if a car runs on carbon-neutral synthetic fuel, it’s still allowed. That gives Lamborghini a lifeline.

Sure, synthetic fuel isn’t cheap, and it’s not exactly available on every corner. But for someone buying a Lamborghini, that’s probably not a dealbreaker. Porsche is already producing this fuel in Chile using wind energy, water, and carbon dioxide, so it’s not just theory—it’s happening.

Other carmakers are on board too. Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, and even Toyota and Mazda are exploring how synthetic fuel could keep combustion engines alive.

Still, turning synthetic fuel into something mainstream is a massive task. It’ll take years, investment, and industry-wide support.