Audi Sees Hybrids As A Bridge To Electric Vehicles

Why is that? Audi sees hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles as a bridge for technologies that will improve electric vehicles.

“Hybrid and plug-in hybrids are a transitional and bridge technology for about the next ten years. In parallel we will offer various battery-electric models in different volume series models until 2025,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler to Autocar.

Audi is hard at work on their first electric SUV, the Q6 e-tron that will launch in 2018. The model is expected to have a range of 310 Miles and start being built at a new factory in Belgium. This will join alongside the A3 Sportback e-tron EV.

Along with the A3 e-tron, Audi offers a hybrid version of the Q5 and has recently launched the Q7 e-tron hybrid in Europe. The Q7 e-tron pairs a 3.0L TDI V6 with a plug-in hybrid system. Audi is also planning to launch a mild hybrid of the next-generation A8 due sometime next year.