Audi A1 e-tron Concept

Audi has really big plans for its electric vehicle segment, the e-tron lineup.

“By 2020, we want to be the leading premium seller of electric vehicles,” said Franciscus van Meel, Audi’s manager for electric mobility strategy. “We will successively bring out a variety of hybrid models and electric vehicles, such as our first plug-in hybrid in 2014.”

Early next year, the Audi Q5 Hybrid will hit dealerships, followed by a full-hybrid version of the A8 sedan, which will debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Audi also has plans to debut a A1 e-tron at the Geneva show. An A6 hybrid is likely to arrive in 2012 along with the e-tron version of the R8.

Audi’s e-tron division will compete head-to-head with BMW’s Megacity Vehicle, which is designed for urban commuting.

“Today we’re assuming that our sales of Audi e-tron electric cars will rise to a six-figure volume by 2020,” van Meel said. By 2020, Audi also wants to increase the efficiency of its internal combustion engines by 30 percent and wants 5 percent of the brand’s lineup to be electric.

2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid quattro:

- By: Zain Haq

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)