Ferrari Owners Rarely Plug in Hybrid Supercars

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According to Ferrari, most owners of its plug-in hybrid models like the SF90 and 296 do not regularly charge their cars. Instead, they rely on the gasoline engine and regenerative braking to power the electric assistance system. Ferrari's analysis of five years of ownership data also found that pure-electric driving modes are almost never used, with owners preferring to keep the combustion engine running.

Why it matters

Ferrari's findings highlight the challenges automakers face in getting customers to adopt the full capabilities of hybrid and electric vehicles. Even owners of high-performance, cutting-edge supercars are not taking advantage of the potential fuel savings and emissions reductions offered by plug-in hybrid technology.

The details

Ferrari told the Australian outlet CarExpert that its plug-in hybrid owners typically only charge their cars when they are being stored for extended periods. The automaker's eManettino drive mode system allows owners to choose between different levels of hybrid-electric assistance, but Ferrari says the true Hybrid mode that blends combustion and electric power is rarely used. Instead, owners prefer the Performance mode, which keeps the gasoline engine running constantly.

• Ferrari has analyzed five years of ownership data on its plug-in hybrid models.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Ferrari is reportedly working to bring its battery production in-house to address customer concerns about long-term maintenance and longevity of the hybrid systems.