Ferrari has faced a wave of criticism after unveiling its first fully electric vehicle, the Luce, with enthusiasts accusing the Italian marque of abandoning its combustion-engine heritage.
The Luce, whose name means ‘light’ in Italian, marks a historic shift for the prancing horse brand. However, the reception has been far from celebratory. Social media and automotive forums have been flooded with complaints that the car lacks the visceral engine noise and driving purity that define Ferrari’s DNA. Some have questioned whether a silent Ferrari can still be a Ferrari.
“Ferrari’s first electric car, the Luce, has been criticised for abandoning the brand’s combustion-engine roots. The backlash highlights tensions between heritage and electrification in the luxury car market.”
Ferrari has long been synonymous with high-revving V8 and V12 engines. The decision to go electric follows tightening emissions regulations globally, including in the UK where the government has mandated that 80% of new cars be zero-emission by 2030. Although Ferrari is not bound by the same targets as mass-market manufacturers, the move is seen as a nod to the inevitable electrification of the luxury sector.
For UK buyers, the Luce represents a dilemma. Wealthy collectors who have multiple Ferraris may view it as a future classic, while purists may resist. The backlash has been particularly strong among British Ferrari owners’ clubs, where members have expressed concern that the brand’s soul is being diluted. One club secretary told the BBC that ‘the sound of a Ferrari is part of its character—without it, you lose something.’
Ferrari has not announced UK pricing or delivery dates for the Luce, but the car is expected to compete with other high-end EVs such as the Rimac Nevera and the Lotus Evija. The company insists that the Luce will still deliver Ferrari-level performance and handling, but critics remain unconvinced.
Automotive analysts note that Ferrari’s move is partly a response to the Chinese EV onslaught. Chinese manufacturers like Nio and BYD are aggressively targeting premium segments, and Ferrari’s entry is a defensive step. However, the backlash suggests that even loyal customers are not ready to embrace a silent prancing horse.
What happens next will depend on how Ferrari manages the transition. The company has confirmed that the Luce will go into production in 2026, but further details are scarce. In the meantime, the debate over whether an electric Ferrari can ever be a ‘real’ Ferrari will continue to divide opinion.
What This Means For You If you’re a UK buyer with a deposit on a Ferrari, the Luce may not arrive for at least two years. For enthusiasts, the backlash could lead to higher values for used V12 models as collectors hold onto the traditional experience. For those considering a switch to electric luxury, the Luce will eventually offer an alternative to Tesla’s Model S Plaid or the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. But if the criticism persists, Ferrari may be forced to rethink its electric strategy, potentially delaying or modifying the Luce for the UK market.