Battery Shortages Force Audi To Cut Back Goals On E-Tron Production

Here's a crazy question: Wouldn't you secure battery access up front if you were jumping hog wild into EVs?

I agree I think VW jump in the EV scene as a reaction from Dieselgate, and not thinking mid or long term. BMW has been shoring up battery supplies for a while.

Don’t believe the hype, Audi’s dull as paint drying design forced them to cut back goals

@FAQMD

I agree with the majority of your comments, but I have no sympathy for VW. They cheated and got caught. I am a diesel fan and VW killed it for the US and maybe for the rest of the world. I am glad to see VW get there comeuppance, they deserve it government or not.

I think the real reason is sales are low. It is not a very compelling EV, epic disappointment compared to other cars in this area. A Kona will get you 85% of the eTron at half the price.

It is rather perplexing that Audi half-assed it.

Risk aversion, sell less, recall less later.

Actually - the problem is Lack of Lithium Mines. While there is no shortage of Lithium itself - current mines are at top production - so they need to develop more mines - BUT - they are running into government regulations based on how Lithium is mined. I have mentioned this at least twice in the past.

However - the problem is doubled by the shortage of Cobalt production in the world - which is more dire than Lithium. Again - there appears to be adequate deposits - but they are less available than Lithium and many EVs need as much as 66 POUNDS of Cobalt for production.

Noting that today - the demand for Lithium is pervasive - in Phones, Electric Tools and lots of other battery powered items - as a result- -there is simply not enough Lithium being mined to fulfill current needs. Right now - however - we will run into a cobalt WALL in about 2 years.

More important - as these items become more popular - expect competition to increase the prices dramatically - where most users predicted sharp decreases in prices - there have been even sharper INCREASES in prices.

Will someone please tell Audi that batteries are always in stock at Walmart's...

lol @ "Walmarts"

New Theory:
Etron was expected to be a huge sales success, but with a 204 mile range, it is a complete disaster, so why not concoct a battery supply issue to cut production. Thereby no need to say the etron for all of AUDI/VW engineering might is a complete cluster F&#% and the 40,000 pre-sold promise is a phantom (lie) so they now can blame something other than bad planning for cutting the production to come closer to meeting demand... Smoke and mirrors, VW/Audi have nver told the truth in public, why start now... the first real electric unit from them is a mess and Tesla is laughing all the way to the battery factory (court)...

Indeed. That's how deceitful Audi would play it. Much better question: Knowing Tesla's range and how verified it is by owners, and then seeing that your vehicle has about 1/3 less range, why announce it as a production model? I'd have delayed production, rolled some heads, and at least achieved parity with Tesla on range.

How can you be serious about BEVs without having a solid battery source.
Maybe their adds aren't sarcastic after all.