Audi Q4 E-Tron electric SUV still no closer to local showrooms

The Audi Q4 E-Tron small electric SUV is no closer to Australian showrooms even though it is already on sale in neighbouring New Zealand.

Based on the latest estimates, Audi's smallest electric SUV may not arrive in Australia until 2024 at the earliest.

Audi Australia boss Jeff Mannering told Drive at the launch of the Audi E-Tron GT electric sedan last month production of the Q4 E-Tron electric SUV was being prioritised for countries with strict emissions regulations and taxpayer-funded electric-car incentives.

“I would love the Q4 here. I think all our dealers would love Q4,” Mr Mannering told Drive.

“Currently, I can't tell you what the realistic time is. I can tell you it won't be 2023, even if best-case scenario they started building [Q4s for Australia] by October, it's still not going to be here this year. Because, the demand for the car worldwide … and the amount of production that's available, they’re still shifting the cars to the markets (with strict emissions regulations).”

“Australia as a market is probably half a step behind the rest of the world,” he said. “If Australia wants to be competitive in any sustainability discussions worldwide, they have to start thinking about topics like this to be able to encourage manufacturers and customers to buy (electric vehicles).

“[Australia’s] GDP is run on fossil fuel, sales of coal and everything like that. So I also understand it from the Australian government's point of view, why they're ... half-a-step behind.”

Sales of the Audi Q4 E-Tron nearly doubled overseas in 2022 – rising by 99.4 per cent – compared to 2021, the model’s first year on sale.

While Australia continues to wait for what could become the brand’s biggest-selling electric vehicle – going up against rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Mercedes-Benz EQB and Volvo XC40 Recharge – New Zealand has already started accepting orders for the Audi Q4 E-Tron.

New Zealand recently introduced a Clean Car Rebate Scheme that incentivises the purchase of low-emission vehicles with government rebates, while also imposing higher tariffs on high-emission vehicles, such as dual-cab utes.

New Zealand deliveries of the right-hand drive Audi Q4 E-Tron are due to start in the next few months.