A major milestone on the journey towards electrification of the Audi model range was reached earlier this month, when Audi’s (www.audi.com) Brussels plant began volume production of the ‘e-tron’ — the company’s first all-electric SUV.

It has a range suitable for everyday use, and its 150kW capacity can be primed and ready for a long-distance journey in about 30min using a quick-charging station — and fully charged in 50min.

Audi presented the final production-ready car for the first time in San Francisco on 17 September.

Audi board member Peter Kössler said: “The Audi ‘e-tron’ is a genuine pioneer. It features innovative technologies such as ‘virtual’ exterior mirrors and combines traditional Audi qualities in handling and dynamics.

"Our Brussels plant was comprehensively modernised for the production of the electric car, which is the world’s first certified CO₂-neutral mass-production vehicle in the premium segment, as the plant offsets all emissions resulting from production at the site — primarily by using energy from renewable sources, but also through environmental projects.”

Patrick Danau, managing director of Audi Brussels, said: “Audi built up numerous competencies in-house for the ‘e-tron’, developing both the battery technology and the actual drive system itself.

“Our employees also re-thought, planned and implemented many stages of the production.”

Since the summer of 2016, the plant has extensively rebuilt its body shop, paint shop and assembly line step by step — and set up its own battery production.

The employees in Brussels received more than 200,000hr of training in preparation for ‘e-tron’ production.