Audi going electric

Sales of electric cars are expected to surge to 2.7 million units globally by 2018, up from 180,000 units sold last year.
In the next four years battery costs are likely to fall and charging stations would multiply. Most companies are racing to take up a slice of this niche market.
Audi is thought to have drawn up blueprints for a range of high performance electric cars in the next few years.
It seems Audi has been spooked by the success of the “i” series from BMW and the challenge from Tesla which is invading Europe after its success with super electric cars in the US.
Tesla is said to be ahead of the pack with new technology which extends driving range and reduces costs.
The first Audi electric car would be an electric version of the R8, said to be due in the market by next year.
The electric R8 will offer a range of 450 km (280 miles) which is close to the 311 miles offered by Tesla Model S. Production of the electric R8 will be restricted to demand.
However, Audi also plans a range of high performance electric vehicles, both sedans and SUVs, but the company keeps confidential any news of how many models will be produced and the scale of production plans.
The company has defined a range of 250 miles for future electric cars after years of being stuck at a range of 133 by its developers and engineers. Now the company is said to overcome many technical difficulties.
Engineers managed to increase the efficiency of the drivetrain and curb onboard power consumption.
However, one has the feeling that Audi is coming late to the scene especially in view of BMW success in sales of the i3 and its talks with Tesla on a common electric platform for charging cars.
Even Mercedes which did not declare electric intentions has started last April production of an electric B Class.
Audi maybe catching up fast with the electric car niche, but one would expect the innovative company to be in the lead of the electric game especially with its declared focus on technology.
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Adel Murad is a senior motoring and business journalist, based in London.
Email: [email protected]