Volkswagen has made a slight change to its electric vehicle production plans, moving up the launch of the Golf EV. Initially VW had planned to introduce the e-Up! (above) first, but according to new reports the German automaker has decided that the e-Golf will be first, citing the car’s popularity and importance in the VW range, not to mention the expected launch of several compact electric vehicles in the next few years. Along with its push for diesel vehicles, Volkswagen has also been at the forefront of electric vehicle technology and execs obviously feel that its best to have the e-Golf arrive sooner than later – when the market is flooded with already established models.

Following the launch of the e-Golf will be the E-Up and then the E-Jetta, which has been confirmed for the U.S. market, but probably not until 2013 or later - about the same time the e-Golf will launch in Europe.

[Source: Yahoo Deutschland via Autoblog Green]

With Audi‘s recent unveiling of the A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show and news the Q5 Hybrid is on its way, Audi has made known plans to add more hybrid models, starting with the A6. According to a report by AutoWeek, the next-generation A6 will be offered in full hybrid form late in 2012 as a 2013 model.

Audi is likely to add even more hybrid variants of its models after that, with a plan to significantly increase is offering of hybrid and electric cars over the next few years. The move is part of a plan by parent company Volkswagen to “own” the alternative power segment. VW will have some catching up to do, however, as Toyota already has quite a head start. However, VW also plans to surpass Toyota as the world’s largest auto maker over the next few years.

In addition, VW will make a big push with electric cars, having recently shown several Audi E-Tron concepts at different auto shows throughout the world. According to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, Audi aims to build e-tron to become synonymous with electric vehicles, just as quattro has become synonymous with all-wheel drive.

Along with Audi developing its own E-tron models, VW will bring a slew of EVs to market in the next few years, including an E-Up (an electric Up minicar), an E-Golf and an E-Jetta. According to VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, the E-Jetta will go on sale in the U.S., but probably not until 2013.

In addition to these changes, Audi also plans to improve the efficiency of its gasoline engines by 30 percent by 2020.

[Source:  AutoWeek]