An electric option will be available in each Audi model series in a move which is expected to see one in three customers choose an e-model within eight years.

To help accelerate this shift, the Ingolstadt-based firm has pledged to commit €40bn to areas such as e-mobility and autonomous driving before the middle of the next decade.

“Our goal is to revolutionise mobility,” AUDI AG’s chairman of the board of management Rupert Stadler said. “Also in electric mobility, we want to become number one among the premium manufacturers – with full sustainability for everyday use, no compromises, top quality and driving pleasure for the customer.”

Audi last year delivered 1.88 million cars globally, of which 16,000 were semi-electric vehicles. The firm currently offers three plug-in hybrid vehicles but still lacks a fully electric model in its portfolio.

Its first serial all-electric model, the Audi e-tron sport utility car, will launch in August. The model has a range of more than 400 kilometres and can be charged at 150kW rapid-charging stations, meaning it can be powered up in under 30 minutes.

Zero to hero?

Audi hopes to gain a higher share of the EV market from the likes of Tesla as it recovers from parent firm VW’s role in the diesel emissions scandal.

Earlier this week, Germany’s Transport Ministry said that a further 60,000 Audi diesel cars were being investigated for suspected illegal manipulation software which may have helped the carmaker cheat emissions tests.

The latest announcement follows moves from BMWFord and Jaguar Land Rover to ramp up investment into battery and EV research and manufacturing. Last month, French car giant Groupe PSA – owner of Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall – created a new EV-focused business section as part of the company’s plan to offer electric models across its entire portfolio by 2025.

George Ogleby

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