Electric SUV in high demand

This story first appeared in the December issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The Audi Q8 is not the only premium SUV option Audi is launching over the next 12 months, with the electric E-tron model due to land during the middle of next year.

Audi general manager NZ, Dean Sheed says demand has been strong, with 100 orders – basically their first year’s production allocation – having $2000 deposits attached to them in the first eight days of the order books being open.

“We have now sold out our entire 2019 allocation, 100 cars, and we did that in eight days,” Sheed says.

“Our biggest issue now is negotiating with the factory for additional production.” While exact details of the vehicle have yet to be confirmed, Sheed suggests it will fit Kiwi buyers well. “It is a full-size European SUV, it will have a good tow rating for NZ, it will have good range and you can put a roof rack on it.”

The battery will be a 95kW unit, giving a WLTP range of up to 450km. It can charge at up to 150kW. As reported earlier by EVtalk, Audi has been doing a site analysis on its dealerships to work out where, and at what level, it should be offering charging. Customers will have their homes assessed by Vector subsidiary HRV Solar for the fitment of a 32 amp charger, and inductive charging for homes will follow.

“Clearly there is an appetite for the car,” Sheed says. “It is a very good sign for our market, and the factory are clearly invigorated around what we have done in terms of infrastructure.”