Audi Sees 5 Percent of its New Cars as Electric-Drive Models by 2020

Audi Sees 5 Percent of its New Cars as Electric-Drive Models by 2020

By John O'Dell March 11, 2010

Audi, which has begun a drive to add electric vehicles to its lineup, says it believes EVs could account for as much as 5 percent of its annual sales by 2020.

The company has said that it will market electrics under the "e-tron" badge and has so far shown several concept models including the all-wheel and rear-wheel drive e-tron sports cars shown at the 2009 Frankfurt and 2010 Detroit auto shows and the A1 e-tron extended-range plug-in (left) unveiled last week at the Geneva Auto Show.

Michael Dick, Audi's technology chief, told a German magazine in an interview at the Geneva show that while the automaker's management board hasn't made a decision on the A1-based EV, it is likely that it will be approved for production.

He told Automobilwoche magazine that it would require a three-year development period to bring it into retail readiness and that if other cars are developed in the e-tron range - as planned - sales of the electric-drive models could account for 5 percent of Audi's global sales by 2020.

We hope some of the more affordable ones, not just the high-end sports car models - will make their way to the U.S., although most automakers believe Europe is a better market for small electric vehicles because of typically shorter driving distances and a broader acceptance of small vehicles there.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.