Audi energy: New sustainability program will add to e-tron experience

HERNDON, Va., Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi of America today announced the launch of Audi energy®, a comprehensive program designed to help improve the electric vehicle ownership experience and reduce the carbon footprint that comes with vehicle production, distribution and driving. 

Audi energy will be available with the introduction of the first plug-in hybrid vehicle offered by the brand – the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, which is scheduled to debut at select dealerships in the U.S. during the second half of 2015. Through the Audi energy program, Audi will offer three unique opportunities to help improve sustainability and reduce carbon emissions:

• At-home Audi-designed Level 2 charging developed in conjunction with Bosch Automotive Service Solutions will be available for qualified owners of the A3 e-tron.
• Audi will purchase carbon offset certificates in California and Africa to offset certain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with A3 Sportback e-tron vehicles.
• SunPower will provide an optional home solar power system for Audi owners, especially A3 Sportback e-tron customers, including a newly developed home energy storage solution to capture additional solar energy.

"The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron will offer drivers an eco-conscious vehicle ownership experience," said Wayne Killen, General Manager, Product Strategy and Launch.. Audi energy takes this to the next level with solutions that allow for sustainable fuel driving and a lower carbon footprint.  We believe this will be one of the most comprehensive offering in the industry today."

In addition to offering the all-new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, which is expected to debut in the second half 2015 at participating dealerships in all 50 states, Audi will also offer the following as part of the Audi energy program:

Level 2 Audi charger. Standard. Through Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, Audi will offer qualified owners of the all-new A3 Sportback e-tron  models premium installation services to help quickly and safely convert the owner's residence to 240V power at the charging location of their choosing as well as installation of the Audi designed Level 2 charger for at-home recharging. The Audi-designed Level 2 charger will come standard with the purchase of an all-new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. Installation costs will be extra.

Ultra-low carbon footprint. Standard.
A distinctive component of Audi energy is possible through an innovative arrangement with 3Degrees, a certified B Corporation and leading carbon offset and Renewable Energy Credit (REC) provider based in San Francisco with several U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency awards as Green Power Supplier of the Year. Investing in two types of carbon reduction programs, one in the U.S. and the other in Africa (in a United Nations REDD+ zone), Audi will offset most of the greenhouse gas emissions that result from the A3 Sportback e-tron vehicle's final assembly, including battery production, shipping the vehicle to the Audi dealer, and 50,000 miles of driving.  These emissions represent the majority of greenhouse gas emissions up through approximately the vehicle's first 50,000 driven miles.

Residential solar and energy storage. Optional
Audi has reached an agreement with San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower to offer optional home solar power systems to Audi owners in all 50 states, including A3 e-tron customers. With the highest efficiency solar panels available in the industry today – including the 21% efficient X-Series Solar Panel which produces 75 percent more energy over 25 years than a conventional panel   - SunPower rooftop solar systems can help customers enhance the energy efficiency of their A3 e-tron and home while lowering their electric utility costs.

Moreover, with lease, loan, and cash programs available, SunPower's flexible financing options make renewable energy even more accessible to Audi customers.

Additionally, Audi customers will be the first among SunPower's automotive partners to receive premier access to its energy storage solution which currently is in final testing and expected to be available in early 2015. The SunPower storage system is designed to provide homeowners peace-of-mind and security that comes with knowing that during a power outage, their solar system will continue producing energy, and customers will have access to stored energy for powering their homes and A3 e-tron.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron combines sporty power with efficiency and a Level 2 charger for an eco-conscious and hassle-free electric driving experience. Expected to go on sale at participating dealerships in all 50 states in the Fall of 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron features multiple driving modes that give drivers wide flexibility in their EV and hybrid driving experience. Additionally, instead of a purely mechanical braking system like many electrified vehicles, an innovative recuperation system harnesses brake kinetic energy back into electricity for the drive battery. In hybrid mode, its range will be comparable to conventional combustion engine vehicles. Final EPA mileage numbers will be announced closer to the sale date.

More details on the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron and Audi energy will be made available as the 2015 sales date draws nearer.

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered 1,575,500 vehicles to customers globally in 2013, and broke all-time company sales records for the 4th straight year in the U.S. Through 2018, AUDI AG will invest about $30 billion on new products, facilities and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

ABOUT BOSCH
In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket solutions, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, healthcare telemedicine and software solutions. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs 24,600 associates in more than 100 locations, with consolidated sales of $10.4 billion in 2013. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com, www.bosch.com.mx and http://www.bosch.ca.

ABOUT SUNPOWER
SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar panels and systems available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's quarter century of experience and guaranteed performance to provide maximum return on investment throughout the life of the solar system. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpower.com.

ABOUT 3DEGREES
The mission of 3Degrees is to connect people with renewable energy on a massive scale. The company realizes this mission by partnering with utilities to offer green power options to 25 million customers and providing renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets to Fortune 500^® companies, green building firms, utilities, and other organizations committed to sustainability.

A certified B Corporation and six-time winner of the DOE/EPA Green Power Supplier of the Year Award, 3Degrees is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with regional offices throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit 3degreesinc.com.

"Audi," "Truth in Engineering," the four rings logo and all model names are registered trademarks of AUDI AG. "SunPower" is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE SunPower Corp.