Ferrari pushes possible EV launch beyond 2022

Marchionne: "If there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first."

MILAN -- Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne doesn't see full-electric vehicles joining the supercar brand's product lineup in the near future.

Ferrari will not launch a full-electric car until after its next business plan ends in 2022, Marchionne said at the automaker's annual meeting earlier this month.

Marchionne had told reporters at the Detroit auto show in January that an EV could be part of Ferrari's 2018-2022 strategy plan, adding "if there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first."

At Ferrari's annual meeting on April 13, Marchionne said a full-electric car is not relevant for the company at the moment, although Ferrari’s 2017 annual report quotes as a risk factor the possibility that "pure electric cars may become the prevalent technology for performance sports cars thereby displacing hybrid models."

Ferrari needs to add more electrified cars with gasoline-electric powertrains in its range, Marchionne said, adding that there is an internal debate about which series production models will be electrified. Ferrari's first hybrid will debut at the Frankfurt auto show in 2019, Marchionne said in Detroit in January without specifying the model.

Ferrari has so far produced two limited-series hybrid supercars - the La Ferrari coupe and roadster La Ferrari Aperta roadster.

Ferrari's postponement of full-electric cars could leave it trailing Tesla, which is expanding its all-electric range and Porsche, which will start sales of its first full EV next year.

Marchionne also doesn't see Ferrari joining Formula One rivals such as Mercedes-Benz competing on the Formula E circuit. "There is very little participation (in Formula E) by people who are currently taking part in the Formula One championship," he said.

You can reach Andrea Malan at amalan@autonews.com.