AUDI has given a hint of how much the Dieselgate scandal has rocked the Volkswagen Group, saying it wants to cut €10 billion ($A15 billion) from spending to fund its electric car push.

Reuters is reporting that sources close to the German carmaker are saying the push to bring five electric vehicles to market by 2022 – a plan that was fast-forwarded in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal – will bite hard into Audi’s research and development spending.

Audi’s EV push will start next year with the e-tron quattro (above), a small battery-powered five-door SUV that Audi says will be built in Brussels from 2018. A four-door Sportback version (below) of the e-tron is expected to arrive in 2019.

Both cars will go head-to-head with Californian electric car disruptor Tesla, which this weekend delivered the first of its Model 3 small sedans to customers – a significant step in building much-needed volume for the brand.

According to Reuters, Audi will also collaborate with Porsche to develop a new platform that will underpin future products, saving money by sharing modules and components between the brands.