BERLIN/GENEVA: German carmaker Audi has rolled out its new electric model Audi R8 e-tron in bid to revive environmentally-friendly but unpopular zero-emission vehicles.
Audi unveiled its new model at the Geneva auto show. The new model is an emission-free version of its 165,000-euro ($184,619) R8 that can drive 450 kilometres (280 miles) before needing to recharge, which takes less than two hours. It marks a new departure for Audi, which has agonized over whether to launch a range of electric vehicles.
Battery-powered cars have failed to live up to their initial hype, with drivers put off by the slow rollout of recharging stations, and limited range – despite generous sales incentives in some markets.
Because the batteries, cabling and cooling systems for electric cars cost more than a conventional combustion engine, electric vehicles have struggled to gain widespread acceptance among price-sensitive customers, particularly if the same model is available cheaper with a more conventional powertrain.
