How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle? Breaking down the numbers.
* Ferrari's first-ever EV is years in the making.
* Ferrari is no stranger to hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology.
* The success of its first fully-electric model is important to Ferrari's future production strategy.
Ferrari, one of the most iconic sport car manufacturers of all time, is working on an electric vehicle. Based on current policy settings, global electric light-duty vehicle sales are set to reach 40% in 2030, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. Ferrari is one of many automakers looking to further electrify its portfolio.
The Prancing Horse is a brand known for big engines that produce plenty of power. What does the Italian automaker have planned for its EV, and will it be able to electrify auto enthusiasts the way the brand's gas models have?
What is Ferrari's first electric car?
Ferrari's first-ever electric car is the upcoming Ferrari Elettrica (Italian for "Ferrari electric"). Ferrari hasn't officially announced a name for its newest EV, but executives have referred to the exciting new model as the "Elettrica", as reported by Reuters on April 16.
The Prancing Horse's chairman John Elkann briefly brought up the electric vehicle in a second quarter shareholder meeting. CEO Benedetto Vigna says, unlike some releases, the Ferrari electric car is being unveiled in a three-step unveiling. This will help auto enthusiasts understand how Ferrari will power a vehicle that comes from such a storied engineering heritage without internal combustion.
A full presentation on the new electric vehicle is expected for Spring 2026. Deliveries will begin on October 2026, according to Reuters.
Ferrari isn't new to electrified powertrains
Though Ferrari may not have a fully-electric vehicle as part of its portfolio yet, it isn't new to electrified powertrain setups. The automaker produces several hybrid and even plug-in hybrid models. It is "one of the first car makers to realize there is another advantage in using both a petrol engine and an electric motor" according to the Italian luxury sports car maker. Ferrari's first hybrid was the LaFerrari of 2013.
Hybrids or HEVS (hybrid electric vehicles) use a battery and motors to help gas engines produce power without burning fuel via electricity. The Toyota Prius is a good example of a popular HEV. Plug-in hybrids or PHEVS (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are similar to hybrids, but they have electric-only driving range that can be replenished via charging stations. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a notable PHEV example.
The main difference is that HEVs rely on stored energy created by the vehicle while PHEVs rely on chargers, making them more like battery electric vehicles (BEVS), which are common fully-electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y. So, Ferrari doesn't have to reinvent the wheel for its newest EV since it has already produced PHEVs.
What is the story behind Ferrari?
Ferrari was founded by Enzo Ferrari, an Alfa Romeo test driver and auto enthusiast with a passion for racing. Ferrari introduced its first road car (non-track vehicle) the Ferrari 125 S in 1947. It was powered by a mighty 12-cylinder engine. The brand made a name for itself in the 50's and 60's in the high end sports car market, according to the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Today, Ferrari is internationally recognized for its commitment to manufacturing some of the most thrilling sports cars the world has ever seen. Even back in '47 the Italian automaker was using large V12 engines to power its vehicles, so how will Ferrari fare in the EV space?