Audi e-tron charging guide

 

Audi’s e-tron is a big contender in the premium EV SUV market. Having been launched as a one-variant model, Audi has quickly expanded the line-up to include different battery sizes, body styles, and performance models – rivalling everything from Mercedes Benz’s EQC to Jaguar’s I-Pace, and Tesla’s Model X.

The Audi e-tron is available with either a 71 kWh or 95 kWh battery, and in either e-tron or e-tron Sportback form, as well as a performance e-tron S version in each style.

Audi e-tron Range

 

How to charge an Audi e-tron

The Audi e-tron range uses the CCS charging standard, which consists of a combined AC and DC inlet port. The top portion of the inlet is for the Type 2 connector, which is used when charging at home, or at public slow and fast AC points. Both the upper and lower sections on the inlet are used to carry high power during rapid DC charging. The Audi e-tron’s CCS charging inlet is found on the front flank, behind the off-side front wheel and in front of the driver’s door.

The Audi e-tron is able to be slow, fast and rapid charged from public points, depending on the network and type of charge unit. In most cases, slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, and fast charging a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, one of which is usually supplied with the vehicle. For rapid charging, the vehicle uses a tethered CCS connector which is part of the charging unit.

Type 2 – Slow & Fast	CCS – Rapid

Charging on AC or DC requires the EV driver to plug the connectors into the correct inlet, after which the car then ‘talks’ to the charging unit to make sure there is a power supply, that there are no faults, and that it is safe to start charging. If charging at private home or workplace charge point, the vehicle then automatically starts charging.

On a public charger, an activation process is required to initiate charging. Depending on the network provider, this may require the use of an RFID card or smartphone app, often linked to an account which has been set up beforehand. Contactless pay-as-you-go is now commonplace on rapid charge points. Once activated, the units will conduct further connection and account checks before starting to charge the vehicle.

How long does it take to charge an Audi e-tron?

The following table shows approximate time to charge an Audi e-tron 55 quattro fitted with the optional 22 kW on-board charger. Times are for a 100% charge for all but rapid charging, which is quoted for 0-80% as most rapid chargers reduce or cut power well before 100% charge to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.

Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%. Other factors that might vary the charging time include ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, any upper and lower charge restrictions to extend battery life and protect against potential damage, and charging rates slowing down as the maximum charge is reached.

Rapid 150kW	Rapid 100kW	Rapid 50kW	Fast 22kW	Fast 7kW	Slow 3kW
30 mins 0-80%	45 mins 0-80%	1.5 hours 0-80%	4 hours 0-100%	13.5 hours 0-100%	31 hours 0-100%

 

The Audi e-tron is fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger for Type 2 AC charging as standard. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 11 kW, the Audi e-tron will only be able to charge at up to 11 kW. There is also an optional 22 kW on-board charger available, allowing the Audi e-tron to be charged at all available fast charge points at maximum speed.

Audi e-tron 55 quattro models are capable of ultra-rapid charging at up to 150 kW DC, and e-tron quattro models able to charge at up to 120 kW DC.

Use Zap-Map’s Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for an Audi e-tron. The level of battery charge, connector speed, and on-board charger options can be tailored to your requirements for more accurate results.

How much does it cost to charge an Audi e-tron?

The table shown below shows estimates of the cost to charge the Audi e-tron 55 quattro’s 95 kWh battery. Cost estimates are dependent on the charge remaining, usable battery capacity, and age of battery pack.

Type	Cost/kWh	Cost to charge	Cost per mile
Home off-peak	8 p/kWh	£7.60	3.1 p/mile
Home	26 p/kWh	£24.70	10.2 p/mile
Public Fast	30 p/kWh	£28.50	11.8 p/mile
Public Rapid	45 p/kWh for 10%-80% charge	£29.90	17.7 p/mile

 

Based on these figures, the Audi e-tron’s fuel costs are 3-12 p/mile based on real-world energy usage, charging at home or on the public network. This increases to around 18p per mile when charging at rapid points, with the increased price reflecting the convenience to charge quickly.

In general, home charging provides the cheapest per mile cost and public rapid charging tends to be around double the cost (per charge and per mile). These fuel costs compare favourably with 15-20 p/mile for conventional petrol and diesel cars.

To find the cost and times to charge an EV on a public charge point, Zap-Map’s Public Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. The results can be personalised for different electricity costs and the level of charge required.

Charging an Audi e-tron at home

Buying an Audi e-tron could entitle you to an EV Chargepoint Grant. This will give up to £350 or 75% off the cost of a fully installed charge point, should certain criteria be met.

Whether eligible for an EV Chargepoint Grant or not, it is recommended that should drivers have access to off-street parking or a dedicated/reliable space, they install an electric vehicle charge point. Most EV drivers will charge their car at or near home, often overnight when it is less likely to be needed, and there is potential for cheaper electricity.

There are a number of different units available on the market, though all will be smart. It is worth shopping around to see which features fit requirements and budget, though many manufacturers also have a preferred supplier. Although this is a good starting point, it is advisable to shop around.

 

Charging an Audi e-tron on public networks

The UK has a large number of public EV charging networks, with some offering national coverage and others only found in a specific region. Major charging networks include bp pulse, GeniePoint, GRIDSERVE, InstaVolt, Pod Point and ubitricity.

Payment and access methods across networks vary, with some networks providing an RFID card and others a smartphone app to use their services. While most require an account to be set up before use, some rapid units with contactless PAYG card readers are starting to be installed.

Although some EV charge points are free to use, the majority of fast and rapid chargers require payment. Charging tariffs tend to comprise a flat connection fee, a cost per charging time (pence per hour) and/or a cost per energy consumed (pence per kWh). For more information about network tariffs, visit Zap-Map’s public charge point networks guides.