Maserati scraps EV supercar plans due to lack of demand

Maserati is the latest carmaker to delay or flat-out cancel plans to launch an electric flagship model due to a lack of demand.

The Maserati MC20 Folgore – an electric version of the twin-turbo V6 sports car – was due to launch this year, becoming a part of the Italian marque’s plans to offer at least one battery-powered variant of each model before the middle of the decade.

However, a statement provided by Maserati to multiple overseas outlets including Evo magazine has said the MC20 Folgore is dead-on-arrival.

“The project was stopped due to the current forecast for insufficient demand in the super sports car market for a battery electric vehicle,” the statement reportedly read.

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Maserati had previously claimed the electric MC20 Folgore would be capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, reach a top speed of 310km/h and achieve a driving range of 323km (rated on the WLTP cycle).

The twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine currently powering the MC20 completes the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 2.9 seconds, with its 463kW and 730Nm outputs driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

While Maserati has fast electric vehicles (EVs) in the GranTurismo and GranCabrio Folgore – both of which can produce up to 610kW and reach 100km/h in 2.8 seconds – these are both four-seat grand-tourers, not sports or supercars.

Maserati joins the growing list of brands to push back or cancel an upcoming EV, as demand cools globally following a significant rise in recent years.

Within the past year, Aston Martin has pushed back its first EV from a 2025 launch to 2026, then 2027, and most recently to an undisclosed time before 2030.

Lamborghini too delayed its first electric model’s launch to 2029, after initially announcing the Lanzador concept-based coupe SUV would go into production in 2028.

Last year, Lotus – owned by Chinese giant Geely – said it no longer plans to only produce EVs by 2028, instead developing range-extender EVs (EREVs) which use a petrol engine to help charge the battery that powers the electric motors.

Maserati’s announcement that it has stopped work on the MC20 Folgore comes amid a tumultuous time for parent company Stellantis, which last year lost its CEO and which has a plethora of brands to juggle.

Last year, Maserati sold approximately 11,300 vehicles globally, a huge 57 per cent decrease on its circa-26,600 deliveries in 2023.

By contrast, Ferrari – which has a significantly more expensive and exclusive vehicle lineup – delivered more than 13,700 cars.

In October, Stellantis CFO Natalie Knight said: “There could be some point in the future when we look at what’s the best home for [Maserati].”

After these remarks were published, Stellantis put out a statement stating its “unwavering commitment to Maserati’s bright future as the unique luxury brand of the 14 Stellantis brands”.

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