In a move that could very well redefine “charging ahead,” Audi’s Ingolstadt plant is now home to the auto giant’s first battery assembly facility in Germany, sending the Q6 e-tron series gliding off the production line with a carbon footprint so light, it’s practically floating. This historic moment marks the site as the third Audi plant to boast net-zero emissions since the dawn of 2024, joining the eco-conscious ranks of Brussels and Győr.
Since late 2023, the Audi Q6 e-tron series has not just been another pretty face in the crowd of electric vehicles (EVs) but a trailblazer, being the inaugural high-volume, fully electric series produced at Audi’s heartland in Ingolstadt. With a strategic melding of new production steps into the old world of body shops and assembly lines, Audi is redefining sustainable luxury, one electric model at a time.
Gernot Döllner, the maestro behind Audi’s shift to electric, highlighted the Q6 e-tron series as just the opening act in a grand performance that will see electric models dominating every core segment by 2027. Meanwhile, Gerd Walker, the brand’s conductor of Production and Logistics, orchestrated this transformation as part of Audi’s “360factory production strategy,” aiming to electrify the entire lineup by decade’s end.
This eco-friendly symphony extends to the new battery assembly facility, where 300 green-thumbed employees assemble up to 1,000 high-voltage batteries daily with a rhythm almost entirely automated. This ensemble not only cranks out the powerhouses for the Q6 e-tron series but also marks Ingolstadt as a hub of electric innovation and expertise.
But it’s not just about assembling batteries with precision; it’s about doing it sustainably. Powered by nothing but green electricity, this facility is a testament to Audi’s commitment to efficiency and flexibility, without demanding more from Mother Earth.
The electric motors, the heart of the Q6 e-tron, sing their way from Győr, Hungary, to Ingolstadt, transported with zero emissions, thanks to DB Cargo’s eco-friendly logistics. This global harmony between Audi’s plants showcases a future where sustainability and innovation drive forward, hand in hand.
As for the actual assembly of these electric dreams, Audi hasn’t missed a beat, integrating the Q6 e-tron into the same lines that birthed the A4 and A5 models. This blending of the old and new, the electric and combustion, is a ballet of efficiency, underscored by a commitment to reduce emissions and embrace a greener future.
Even the paint shop got a green makeover, with robots now performing the dance previously led by human hands, ensuring that every Q6 e-tron leaves not just with a gleaming coat but with a smaller ecological footprint.
With every component, from the hot-forming process at the press shop in Münchsmünster to the assembly lines in Ingolstadt, Audi is composing a future where electric vehicles are not just an option but a leading player on the world stage. The Q6 e-tron series’ production marks not just a milestone for Audi but a leap towards a more sustainable and electrifying future.
