History
The Audi e-tron is based on the e-tron quattro concept that was unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.[12] It has an EPA range of 204 miles, or 222 miles in the updated model.[13] The Sportback variant has 218 miles of EPA range, entered production in early 2020.[9] The facelifted model revealed in 2022, known as the Q8 e-tron, offers 285 miles of EPA range while the facelifted Sportback has an EPA range of 296 miles or 300 miles depending on the exact variant.[14]
In 2018, it was reported that the car's certification in Germany by the KBA (Federal Motor Transport Authority) was not obtained until required changes were made to the car's software.[15][16][17] In January 2019, United States market deliveries were due to commence in June.[18]
The first customer in Germany received his e-tron in March 2019. In late April 2019 it was reported that prospective customers faced waiting lists of 6–7 months (putting the expected delivery date close to the end of 2019).[19][20] The delays caused controversy in Norway, where customers were informed that their cars would be delivered up to 6 months later than originally promised unless they paid extra for a significantly more expensive "Fast Track" car. Further to this, some customers were also informed that were they to cancel their reservation they would be liable for a fine equal to 8% of the purchase price.[21]
In Norway, the e-tron was the best-selling car or truck of any kind in October 2019. In November 2019, it ranked #3.[22][23] It was also the best-selling car or truck of any kind in Norway in the year 2020, outselling the Tesla Model 3.[24]
In the Netherlands, the e-tron was the #2 most registered car of any kind in December 2019.[25]
In 2020, the New Zealand government started purchasing e-trons as official government cars.[26]
Audi paused production of the e-tron in February 2020 due to supply chain problems including issues with adequate supply of batteries for the e-tron.[27] Production resumed in early May.[28]
In 2022, Audi announced that the facelifted e-tron would be renamed to Audi Q8 e-tron (unrelated to the existing Audi Q8), which was revealed on 9 November 2022.[29][30]
