LG Chem, Audi to Develop Next-gen EV Batteries

“Together with our South Korean development partners, we are bringing production of the latest battery-cell technology to the EU and strengthening European industry with this key technology”, Audi procurement chief Bernd Martens said in a statement.

For some time, Audi has promised the Q6 will be available as both an all-electric model in the form of the 2018 Audi Q6 e-tron, as well as a conventional gasoline model and a plug-in hybrid variant. In addition, the South Korean companies will also make investments in cell technology in Europe.

Audi said this battery will power its impending battery-electric SUV, which will possibly be named the Q6.

Owned by Volkswagen, the luxury automaker says it plans to increase its choice of vehicles from 52 to about 60 different models within the next five years. Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler, stated in May, “We as a high-tech brand will raise electric mobility to a new level”. It’s possible that by making the batteries part of the car’s underlying structure, Audi will be able to cut excess weight and hopefully give the SUV a little more sporting feel.

Don’t get too excited about that range, though. And in American terms, the range will be closer to 260 or 270 miles.

Great news? I’m counting it as such. In Europe, it’s rated for 328 miles, an 11 percent improvement for the exact same vehicle. Speculations are running wild that Tesla Motors will again delay the launch of Model X, which already has delayed for more than a year. That would put Audi near the top of the heap.

The major reason why electric cars are proved to be slow sellers is due to the high costs associated with EV hardware, which are even significantly higher than creating a standard internal-combustion powertrain. Audi is no different, but when they associate with Samsung and LG, things are entirely different. Now it just has to deliver.