Audi 2014 Annual Report Download - page 178

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
PRODUCT-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
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PRODUCT-BASED
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
/ FUTURE MOBILITY
Fully in keeping with our brand essence “Vorsprung durch
Technik,” we aim to play a decisive role in shaping the future of
mobility through our progressive products, technologies and
services. We want to reconcile driving enjoyment, sportiness
and comfort with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,
and with the responsible use of finite resources.
For many years we have been systematically influencing effi-
ciency standards in automotive manufacturing with our pro-
gressive drive technologies, such as the TDI and TFSI engine
concepts. One of the ways in which we marked the 25th anni-
versary of the TDI in 2014 was by unveiling the Audi RS 5 TDI
concept car, in which the electrically driven compressor already
achieves high boost pressure even at extremely low engine
speeds. Our objective here was to create a powertrain that
combines the sporty performance of an RS model with the
efficiency of diesel engines. The result is a V6 biturbo engine
that develops 283 kW (385 hp) and accelerates the RS5 TDI
concept to over 280 km/h.
Alternative drive concepts represent a further focal area of our
research and development activities. All Audi activities involv-
ing electric driving are grouped together under the umbrella
term e-tron. Within this area of technology, plug-in hybrid
technology is highly important.
Further information and explanations can be found
under “Audi e-tron” on page 158 f.
Meanwhile, we are vigorously promoting the development of
purely electric mobility. Here we are pursuing a holistic ap-
proach that takes account of every aspect of electric driving,
including the charging technology for instance. One innovative
idea in this field is automatic, contactless charging by induc-
tion, which we call “Audi wireless charging.” This featured
most recently in the Audi TT offroad concept showcar and was
presented in Beijing in spring 2014.
Further information and explanations can be found
under “Audi wireless charging technology” on
page 159.
Audi has been involved in the development of CO2-neutral
fuels since 2009. The Audi e-gas plant in Werlte, Lower Saxony,
already produces synthetic methane – known as Audi e-gas –
from green power, water and CO2. This first-ever industrial-
scale power-to-gas plant can convert power from fluctuating
sources such as wind and solar into synthetic gas, which can be
stored in the natural gas grid. Audi A3 Sportback g-tron cus-
tomers can purchase Audi e-gas using a special fuel card and
thus achieve virtually CO2-neutral driving when running their
CNG vehicle. Only as much CO2 as was previously captured in
the production process for the gas is released back into the
atmosphere. The A3 Sportback g-tron can also run on natural
gas or conventional fuel.
In addition, we are working systematically on the development
of CO2-neutral synthetic fuels. In November 2014, for instance,
we and our strategic partners opened a pilot plant in Dresden
that can produce Audi e-diesel from water, CO2 and green power.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
For us, corporate responsibility means that corporate decisions take account
of economic, social and ecological aspects. Our ambition to act in a
comprehensively responsible manner impacts our products and services, the
entire value chain, our employees and Audi’s social involvement. Information
on corporate responsibility can also be found at www.audi.com/cr.