McLaren's CEO Michael Leiters expects that electric hypercars will not be available before 2030. This is because, in his view, battery technology is not yet at a usable level. The main issue currently is weight, with heavy batteries conflicting with McLaren's pursuit of lightweight and agility.
Commenting on the potential McLaren electric hypercar, Leiters said, "We currently believe that the technology is not ready for that." He added, "It will take until the end of the decade because weight is incredibly important. You also need to provide the right driving range, and we don’t want to make an electric car that weighs two tons and has 2000 horsepower."
This perspective is somewhat similar to what Pagani previously announced regarding the heavy battery technology for electric cars. Leiters seems to have hinted at Rimac. The Rimac Nevera weighs significantly more than any McLaren supercar and produces a power output of 1914 horsepower. Although it has already broken several speed records, it is clear that this is not McLaren's main goal.
Leiters stated that the electric hypercar should weigh around 1500 kg, roughly the same as the current McLaren Artura hybrid. He confirmed, saying, "Weight is the essence of our brand."
Earlier this year, Leiters mentioned that the successor to the McLaren P1 electric version would be similar in weight to the 750S. At that time, he also noted that McLaren's customers do not prefer electric cars, but with changing regulations, it is necessary to continue developing electric alternatives.
