5 Legendary Cars That Are Refusing To Go Electric

Since its launch in 1964, the Mustang has become the world’s best-selling sports car and Ford’s longest-running nameplate.

For fans of muscle cars, it’s the definition of petrol power – noisy, raw, and all about freedom.

And according to Ford’s boss Jim Farley, that’s not changing any time soon. Speaking in 2024, he promised: “we will never make an all-electric Mustang,” he said.” He even joked the V8 will stay alive for “as long as God and the politicians let us.”

That means the classic 5.0-litre V8 Mustang should stay on the road until at least 2030.

Ironically, though, Ford already slapped the Mustang name on an EV – the Mustang Mach-E.

Launched in 2021, the crossover comes with 480bhp and can smash 0–62mph in just 3.6 seconds. Ford even said at launch: “Mustang Mach-E introduces the freedom, performance and iconic character of the world's best-selling sports car to all-electric vehicle customers."

But plenty of Mustang purists weren’t impressed. 

Morgan, the iconic British brand that hand-builds retro-inspired cars, is keeping things old school.

Its current lineup, like the Plus Four and the Super 3, use BMW and Ford petrol engines, and boss Matthew Hole told Top Gear: 'We will put internal combustion engines into our cars for as long as we possibly can."

The company isn’t completely ignoring EV; it’s running a parallel electric program, but Morgan says it won’t switch until solid-state batteries are lightweight enough to fit the brand’s ethos.

Toyota’s performance division, Gazoo Racing, is also staying loyal to petrol.

Its lineup, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR Supra, are cult favourites among enthusiasts, and Toyota says it’s sticking to combustion engines for as long as possible.

At an event in Australia last year, Gazoo Racing boss Tomoya Takahashi said, “There may be a time in the future when engines are banned, but internal combustion engines aren't bad, the enemy is carbon.”

So instead of going fully electric, expect Toyota to keep pushing hybrids while petrol-powered GR models stay alive.

Aston Martin, 007’s carmaker of choice, has delayed its first EV again, this time pushing it back to 2026.

CEO Adrian Hallmark explained that “One [set of customers] hates [EVs] with a deep-rooted passion because they think they are being told they can't have a V12 or V8. There is no better way to trigger a billionaire or multi-millionaire than to use the word, ‘No.'.”

The big question now is whether Aston will make an electric version of an existing model or create a brand-new one. But for now, if you want that smell, feel, and noise of a petrol engine, Aston Martin’s got you covered.

Lamborghini’s in the same boat.

Its first EV, based on the Lanzador concept, was meant to arrive in 2028 but has already been pushed back to 2029. And CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently hinted it might not even be a pure EV, suggesting a plug-in hybrid instead.

Even the next-gen Urus SUV will stick with hybrid power rather than going full electric.

For Lamborghini, it’s about timing. As Winkelmann put it, Lamborghini doesn't “need to be there at the beginning” only “when the people are ready to buy these things”.