Audi Building Q8 e-tron BEV at Green Belgium Plant

Audi’s first unit of its fullsize battery-electric SUV rolls off the line at its super-sustainably operated factory in Brussels, Belgium.

Volume production of the Audi Q8 e-tron began Dec. 14 in the plant that has been a role model for sustainable production since Audi e-tron production began. About 160,000 units of Audi’s e-tron have been delivered since 2018.

The automaker claims its Q8 e-tron boasts an optimized drive concept, improved aerodynamics and higher charging performance and battery capacity, resulting in increased range of up to 361 miles (581 km) in the SUV and up to 372 miles (599 km) in the Sportback, both rated on the WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure).

Audi says it uses recycled materials in some components for the Q8 e-tron.

The Audi Q8 e-tron will reach customers in Europe and the U.S. as a certified net-carbon-neutral car. From 2025, production at all Audi plants will be carbon-neutral as part of the companywide environmental program Mission:Zero.

Named “Factory of the Future” in 2020 by the employers’ association Agoria, Brussels achieved carbon neutrality as early as 2018. Since e-tron production began, the Belgium site has been recognized as the world’s first certified carbon-neutral high-volume production plant in the premium segment, Audi says.

Among other things, Audi Brussels installed one of the region’s largest photovoltaic systems on the plant premises, covering 350,000 sq.-ft. (32,520 sq.-m). The system generates around 9,000 MWh of power of sustainable energy every year, equivalent to charging some 90,000 Audi Q8 e-tron units and reducing carbon emissions by 1,881 tons.

Gerd Walker, Audi board member for production and logistics, says: “With its increased efficiency and range, as well as its sharpened design, the new Audi Q8 e-tron is a strong statement for electromobility. Brussels has done valuable pioneering work.”