Audi Allegedly Reducing E-Tron Production Goals Due To Battery Shortage

Audi is reportedly revising its initial production plans for the e-tron SUV in order to deal with a battery shortage.

According to Belgian newspaper L’Echo, internal documents revealed the car manufacturer intended on building 55,830 examples of the e-tron in 2019; however, this figure has since been revised to 45,242 units.

A factory insider who spoke with L’Echo claims that this was caused by limitations posed from LG, who supplies batteries for the Audi e-tron. Moreover, the insider claims there are “tons of problems with LG.”

Also Read: Audi Q4 e-Tron Concept Previews Upcoming All-Electric Compact SUV

Audi kicked off deliveries of the e-tron SUV across Europe recently and the first examples are tipped to arrive in the United States as early as next month. It is thought to be building 160 e-tron models per day and intends on lifting that number to 293 units per day by the end of September. As part of this production increase, factory workers will have their hours lifted from six to eight hours a day.

In addition to the alleged battery shortage reducing e-tron SUV production, it is reported that the company has been forced to push back its plans to commence production of the e-tron Sportback from the end of this year to the start of 2020.

Audi announced earlier this month that 2019 e-tron models sold in the United States have an EPA-estimated range of 204 miles (328 km). The e-tron also supports 150 kW high-speed charging, which can add 54 miles (87 km) of range in 10 minutes and 163 miles (262 km) in 30 minutes.