Audi to launch all-electric SUV by 2018 with more than 500 km range

Audi has confirmed that it will launch a fully electric SUV by early 2018 in the large premium segment. It was confirmed by Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Technical Development, at Volkswagen Group Annual Press Conference 2015. He told that the battery powered sports activity vehicle will have a range of more than 500 kms and a new, attractive design that the company is developing especially for e-tron and battery-electric vechicles. The electric SUV will be on the second generation of the modular longitudinal platform.

He also added, “As an alternative to battery-electric drivetrains and with regard to the future of the automobile, we presented our concept for fuel-cell technology in November 2014. On board of a fuel-cell powered car, electric energy is generated by a synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen. In our Audi A7 h-tron quattro technology carrier, we demonstrated the viability of this concept. And, this technology is ready for series development. Only four weeks ago, we acquired a number of strategically important patents from Ballard Power Systems, Inc., a global leader in fuel cell technology. This will further strengthen both our broad patent portfolio and our competitive advantage in terms of fuel cell technology development.”