McLaren's New CEO States No Immediate Plans for Electric Vehicle Production

Automakers persistently delaying their electrification plans. Unlike some brands predicting readinessdates, McLaren remains patient, biding its time.

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2025 September 13 . 5:10 AM

2 min read

McLaren's New CEO Stalls on Electric Vehicle Production Plans

McLaren's New CEO States No Immediate Plans for Electric Vehicle Production

In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, McLaren Automotive is taking a deliberate approach to electrification. The British luxury sports car manufacturer, known for its high-performance vehicles, is not in a hurry to join the electric vehicle (EV) race.

Last summer, McLaren's former CEO, Michael Leiters, revealed that the company was working on a purely electric drivetrain. However, since Leiters' statement, there have been no public updates on the project. McLaren has not announced any sort of timeline for the technology's rollout, indicating a measured approach to the transition.

Nick Collins, the current CEO of McLaren, has been open about the company's electrification strategy. Collins mentioned that McLaren's future involves "multi-propulsion," suggesting a blend of internal combustion engines and electric powertrains. Collins explained that the world is changing at different paces with different regulatory environments, and McLaren is adapting accordingly.

While McLaren is not rushing to build an EV, it is not shirking modernity or technological advances. The upcoming W1 halo car from McLaren partially relies on electricity to make its 1,275 horsepower. The Artura supercar, introduced in 2020, uses a twin-turbo V6 and an axial flux electric motor.

McLaren's cautious approach to electrification is influenced by the global market's varying readiness for EVs. For instance, China is moving rapidly towards EVs, while the U.S. is not. Europe and the U.K. are currently in different spaces regarding electrification. McLaren has identified governments or states with strong regulatory pushes for electrification, such as the UK and other European countries, as particularly relevant markets for electrified supercars. The company plans to introduce an electric model in the period around 2025-2026.

It's worth noting that McLaren was not primarily focused on EVs, despite assumptions to the contrary. Before joining McLaren, Collins led a luxury car startup called Forseven, which was merged into McLaren before ever building an actual vehicle.

Despite the slow pace of electrification, McLaren is committed to staying at the forefront of the industry. Collins stated that internal combustion will play the majority role of this brand for a long period of time. However, as the world continues to evolve, it's clear that McLaren is preparing for a future where electrification plays a significant role.

Rival exotic automakers like Ferrari and Lamborghini have pushed back their EV deadlines to the end of the decade due to weak market demand. McLaren, on the other hand, seems to be taking a more calculated approach, ensuring a smooth transition into the electric era while maintaining its reputation for high-performance vehicles.