Audi Powers Down EV Program

Volkswagen AG's Audi unit has suspended plans to introduce the R8 e-tron electric sports car next year, Car and Driver reports. The model had been scheduled to go into limited production late this year.

The two-seater is the latest EV program Audi has halted, mainly because of the high costs and limited range of today's lithium-ion batteries, according to media reports. They say Audi will focus on more practical hybrid powertrain technologies.

The reports attribute Audi's ebbing interest in EVs to Wolfgang Duerheimer, past head of R&D at Porsche and former CEO of VW's Bentley unit. He was named in May to oversee Audi's R&D activities. CD says Duerheimer is taking a no-nonsense approach in his review of the unit's product development priorities.

The R8 electric was to be equipped with a 49-kWh battery and two electric motors that produce a combined 375 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque. The EV can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, but the car can travel only 130 miles per charge.

Audi has grouped its electric, hybrid and extended-range hybrid models under the "e-tron" sub-brand. The company is rolling out hybrid versions of its A1, A3, A4 and A6 cars and Q7 crossover vehicle over the next three years.

Audi insists the EV program has not been canceled. But it isn't clear whether any Audi EV programs will survive.

In June Car cited unnamed sources who claimed Audi had cancelled its A2 electric city car and appeared likely to do the same with its A1 e-tron extended-range hybrid. This week Wired magazine said Audi continues to evaluate the A3 e-tron EV but could drop that car too.