Audi is going to introduce a plugin hybrid version of its new Q7 luxury SUV that has a claimed 50g/km CO2 output. That would mean you could tax this seven-seat leviathan for just €170 a year.
The drivetrain uses the existing 258hp 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel, and puts a disc-shaped electric motor into the eight-speed ZF gearbox. A stack of lithium ion batteries that can be charged up from mains power feeds that motor. When you do that (and it takes about 2.5-hours from a high-output socket), the Q7 e-Tron can go for a claimed 50km before the batteries run flat. Fully charge the batteries and fill the diesel tank and Audi claims you can go for 1,300km before you'll have to fuel up again.
As with most plugin hybrids, the Q7 e-Tron has four driving modes. You can lock it into pure electric mode, you can use it as a normal hybrid or a sports hybrid where more power it channelled to the wheels. Or, you can charge up the batteries as you drive, using the diesel engine as a generator to make sure you have sufficient electric range for zero-emissions driving in town.
Thankfully, in spite of the battery stack, the massive 890-litre boot remains untouched.