Audi is throwing its weight behind electric vehicle technology by launching a fleet trial in the Munich model region.
From the middle of next year, 20 Audi A1 e-tron models will be launched on to the region’s roads with around 200 new charging stations to be installed with co-operation from the Munich municipal utility company Stadtwerke Munchen and the Technical University of Munich.
Known as the eflott project, it is part of the Model Region Electromobility Munich sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Transport. It addresses many issues including the data transfer between the driver, vehicle and electric filling station to the power grid. It will also include a test of smartphones as an interface for the driver.
The Technical University of Munich will collect and evaluate data based on mobility behaviour including how heavily the electric car is being used; and what influence it has on other means of transportation. The Department of Vehicle Engineering has developed a mobile application that will be provided on a smartphone to all participants and will document their behaviour.
As for the vehicle itself, the Audi A1 e-tron is a range extended electric city concept vehicle that has peak power of 75kW with a charge rating of up to 15kW. It includes a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack and supports a range of 31 miles. When the range extender is used, it can cover an additional 124 miles. Fuel consumption is the equivalent of 123mpg with CO2 emissions at 45g/km.
The fleet trial has also received support from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and is part of a publically funded project.
