Audi e-tron Hits Another Snag, Delayed Because of Battery Shortage

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

There's a lot of hype surrounding Audi's first electric vehicle, the e-tron. The SUV is a real stab at Tesla and other luxury automakers with a range of roughly 204 miles and the ability to get an 80% charge in 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it sounds like Audi is having a hard time bringing the vehicle to market.

Another Delay For The e-tron

According to the Brussels Times, the e-tron has been delayed because of delivery shortages in regard to batteries from LG Chem. The outlet states that LG is raising prices on its electric-car batteries, and Audi, being a part of the Volkswagen Group that's still caught up in Dieselgate, can't compete with brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW that are more than happy to pay higher prices.

Obviously, without batteries, Audi can't manufacture the vehicle, which has led to production delays. But it isn't the only thing that is halting production of the e-tron. The report claims that "slow delivery of electric engines" because of a strike at the automaker's plant in Hungary that has also led to production delays. Instead of operating at eight hours a day, the e-tron plant is running six hours a day. The plant will soon move to running for only four hours a day.

With the plant operating on roughly half the amount of hours it should be, delivery times for the e-tron have gone up. Back in January, Audi claimed that consumers would receive their e-tron in four to five months. The figure is now six to seven months. Audi, though, doesn't think the extra two months is that much longer to wait for the brand's first all-electric vehicle.

"Not an exceptional waiting time for an all-new Audi," an Audi spokesperson told the outlet.

The e-tron's Rough And Short History

This isn't the first time Audi has delayed the e-tron. In fact, the electric SUV has already had a rough time since it was announced. Last August, Audi canceled the e-tron's original launch event because the automaker's CEO was arrested in regard to the Dieselgate scandal. Then, in October, there was another delay, as the electric SUV was delayed because of a software update.

On top of the delays, the e-tron doesn't have the numbers to be a real rival to its electric competitors. The e-tron's range of 204 miles puts it well below the Tesla Model X, which has a range of 295 miles, and the Jaguar I-Pace's range of 234 miles. Even against non-luxury vehicles, like the Chevrolet Bolt (238 miles) and the Hyundai Kona EV (258 miles), the e-tron is lacking some serious range. Add the vehicle's delays into the picture, and it's clear to see that the e-tron is having a rough time.

There's more bad news for Audi's electric future, too, as the upcoming e-tron Sportback, which is a smaller version of the e-tron SUV, will be delayed, as well. Instead of coming out late this year, the e-tron Sportback won't appear until 2020.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods