Audi AG announced the commencement of the production of the Q8 e-tron as the first vehicle drives off the production line at the Brussels plant.
A press release from the carmaker noted that it marks the beginning of an era for the new top model in Audi’s electric SUV range.
The deliveries of the first batch of these cars will commence from Europe and the United States as certified net carbon-neutral cars.
The e-SUV comes with an optimised drive concept, improved aerodynamics, and higher charging performance and battery capacity, resulting in an increased WLTP-certified range of up to 582 kilometres in the SUV and up to 600 kilometres in the Sportback.
The company also uses recycled materials in some components for the Audi Q8 e-tron. These materials, recovered via a recycling process, save resources and ensure a closed material cycle that is both efficient and sustainable.
Feats Achieved By Brussels Plant
The Brussels plant has been a role model for sustainable production since the production of the Audi e-tron began. Named “Factory of the Future” in 2020 by the employers’ association Agoria, Brussels achieved this distinction as early as 2018.
Notably, around 160,000 units of Audi’s first electric model have been delivered since 2018, it added.
Since the production of the Audi e-tron began, the Belgium site has been recognised as the world’s first certified carbon-neutral high-volume production plant in the premium segment.
The site switched to green power back in 2012. Among other things, Audi Brussels installed one of the region’s largest photovoltaic systems on the plant premises, covering 107,000 square meters.
Other Initiatives To Move To Net Neutrality
From 2025, production at all Audi plants will be carbon neutral as part of the company-wide environmental programme Mission: Zero.
The electric traction motors for production are transported from Hungary to Brussels by green freight. Since May 2022, Audi has been using rail transport on the approximately 1,300-kilometer route, a decision that reduces carbon emissions by around 2,600 tonne annually.
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