Announced at the carmaker's annual general meeting, the plans will begin with an electric SUV, previewed by the e-tron quattro concept shown last year, which will offer a range of over 300 miles on a charge, with the ability to charge at 150kW – three times the rate offered by today’s rapid chargers and 10% faster than Tesla’s Supercharger network.

Prof Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management, said current e-tron models were only the start: “The future of mobility is emission-free. Our roadmap for electric mobility is ready. For us, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are both a transitional and bridging technology.

“As of 2018, we will launch an electric model every year. And not only in market niches, but also in high-volume segments, in our successful Q family for example.”

Work towards the next steps are already underway. Audi is planning a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle “in the coming years” and Stadler hinted at 350kW charging for future electric vehicles, with the ability to reserve charging while they drive.

“Electric mobility must be seen as a normal part of our everyday lives. Only then will it become firmly established in our society. For us, it is now important to actively and vigorously push forward with this transformation,” he said.