Audi is serious about getting drivers behind the wheels of electric vehicles, and to prove it, they've unleashed a fleet of 20 prototype Audi A1 e-tron vehicles on the streets of Munich. This new initiative is being executed in conjunction with the German government, and it's known as the Modellregion Elektromobilität München or Model Region Electromobility Munich.

The focus of the test run is to see how drivers utilize various features of the new Audi EV, gauging driving habits of the participants as well. The most important aspect of this new phase of EV testing in our minds, however, is that the German automaker also plans to construct new charging stations around the region, which are powered by renewable energies, such as wind and solar.

While the energies used to recharge the A1 e-tron are green, we should note that the vehicle itself doesn't run solely on electricity like the LEAF or the ActiveE. Instead, it runs on a plug-in hybrid powertrain, much like the Volt or the Karma, providing a much higher driving range and the option to use gasoline for longer trips. This is a smart move for Audi to take, as the general public still seems to have some hesitance towards adopting 100-percent, pure-electric vehicles, while plug-in hybrid technology is proving to be a solid middle ground.

The stats more than speak for the sound choice that Audi made in achieving this middle ground, too. The A1 e-tron features a 155-mile operating range, 31 miles of which can be driven on pure electricity, and an average fuel economy of 123 miles per gallon. This is thanks to the 75-kilowatt electric motor and 12-kilowatt-hour battery, which the A1 e-tron packs under its hood and works in conjunction with the gasoline-powered rotary engine for a total output of 103 horsepower.

For more updates on the Audi A1 e-tron, make sure to stay tuned. Fred Lavery Company, located at 34602 Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009, is eager to find out if this innovative electric Audi will be making its way to the U.S. market. In the meantime, feel free to browse our new Audi inventory and contact us with any questions you may have.