Currently reading: All-electric Audi R8 e-tron won't go on sale

Ten all-electric R8s made for research and development, none to be offered to customers

Audi has confirmed to Autocar that, currently, it has no plans to sell its all-electric R8 e-tron sports car.

Ten of the latest design of R8 e-tron have been built but they will be used exclusively for internal testing and development only.

It's thought that the the cars won't be offered to customers because battery technology hasn't advanced as fast as Audi expected.

Consequently the cost of the batteries has not fallen as much as the company forecast, making the R8 e-tron unviable for series production.

There are also rumours that Audi is not willing to accept the limited range and long charging times that are a result of current battery technology.

In a recent press release, however, it stated: "Through the R8 e-tron, Audi has acquired extensive expertise that will benefit its electrified production models."

The electric Audi R8 e-tron, which uses a lithium-ion battery and a pair of two electric motors, is capable of 0-62mph in 4.2sec.

It's electronically limited to 124.27mph and, in optimal conditions, capable of covering 133.59 miles.

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tonyjones 5 June 2013

i dont think having petrol

i dont think having petrol and electric powertrain options makes sense they need to make their esupercar unique and look even more sexy than petrol powered ones.

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MikeSpencer 28 May 2013

'Optimal' 134 mile range

never sounded like enough for an EV supercar. So while I'm not surprised to read Audi's decision, I'm still sad about the news. Although I'd never be looking to buy an R8 e-tron (or petrol R8, for that matter) it's still a shame when battery tech. holds back EV progress. Surely anyone with one eye on the future should be disappointed to hear this too? How can 0-62mph in 4.2sec not be fun, whatever the powersource?

xxxx 28 May 2013

yep

Sad to hear this.