Just days after the small electric A2 was cancelled, an Audi spokesman has confirmed that plans to launch the fully-electric R8 e-tron have also been put on permanent hold.

Audi stated that the current challenge of short range and long charge times are still too great to overcome – something Audi thinks customers are unwilling to accept.

In its current form, the R8 e-tron’s power is generated from a pair of electric motors and a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack, giving the e-tron 280kw (about 375bhp) and 604lb ft.

Performance is certainly not a concern for the e-tron however. 0-62mph comes up in 4.2 seconds and the car will hit a limited top speed of 124mph (about 155mph without it). A full charge takes around 12-hours and allows a range of up to 134 miles.

Last year, the e-tron completed a timed lap of the Nurburgring in 8:09 seconds, just five seconds slower than the V8 petrol.

Source: Auto Express