An Audi dealer showing a customer how to charge his Audi e-tron vehicle.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

European model shown. Specifications may vary.

Ask e-tron®

Get answers to the most common EV questions.

FAQs

Get answers to all of your EV questions by selecting a topic or browsing for specific questions below.

EV terminology

Abbreviation for electric vehicle.

Measurement of the rate at which energy is being generated (charging) or consumed (driving). Generally, the higher the number, the faster the charge. The onboard charger on your Audi e-tron will dictate how many kilowatts can be used for charging.

Measurement of the amount of energy available or total energy capacity.

A form of electrical power marked by a varying voltage and current. It reverses direction at a specific rate (in the US, at 60 times per second, also known as hertz, or Hz. The US grid operates on 60Hz cycles).  AC power is the kind that is delivered from the grid, into homes, and ultimately made available at a domestic wall receptacle. The electric motors on Audi e-tron EVs also use AC power in their operation.

A form of electrical power marked by a constant voltage and current. It flows in a constant direction. DC power is used by batteries to store energy and supply power to a suitable device. The e-tron uses sophisticated power electronics to convert electricity between AC and DC as needed by the motors and the battery at any given time.

Level 1 uses 120V. This is the slowest form of charging and is suited more for emergencies than for regular use. On the e-tron, it takes approximately 100 hours* to recharge the battery using a Level 1 charger. 

Level 2 uses 240V. This is the most common form of charging. The e-tron comes standard with a charging unit capable of either 120 or 240V. On a Level 2 charger, at 9.6 kW, the battery recharge time takes approximately 10 hours.* Using the Audi charging system requires a NEMA 14-50 receptacle to be installed by a certified electrician at your place of residence or wherever you plan to charge. The e-tron charging system requires a dedicated circuit capable of supporting a 40-amp continuous load. In order to ensure your home is equipped, we suggest that those living in condominiums, townhouses, or other residential-type buildings contact their housing/condo boards to ensure that: a) an EV charging unit can be installed at your location, and b) there is enough power to supply and fulfill your charging requirements. 

Level 3 is also known as a “DC Fast Charging” charging unit. This level is typically only found at public charging stations. It uses much higher voltage and amperage to deliver more charging power directly to the vehicle’s battery. With the Audi e-tron, charging time to 80% is roughly 30 minutes when using a 150 kW Level 3 charger. 


*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behavior, battery condition, current, resistance, and ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency. See FAQ under "Charging".

Driving Electric

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV or EV): A vehicle that uses electric motors as its only source of power. It stores energy in a battery and gets recharged using an electrical outlet at home or by plugging into a public charging station. BEVs (or EVs) rely exclusively on the battery and electric motors to operate.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A vehicle that uses both a battery and electric motor, as well as a traditional gasoline engine. If the vehicle’s battery runs low, the engine automatically turns on to continue driving. The vehicle’s battery can be charged using an electrical outlet, charging station or, in certain situations, is recharged using the vehicle’s engine.

Mild hybrid: A vehicle that runs solely using engine power but has the ability to save energy by turning off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and, in turn, using the stored energy to power auxiliary features. Mild hybrids do not plug in.

When you apply the brakes, energy is created and converted  to electric energy which is sent to the vehicle’s battery. While you won’t fully charge your e-tron by braking, regenerative braking will add some power to your battery while helping extend range.

One-pedal driving is using motor regeneration to slow the vehicle down, rather than a brake pedal. The brake pedal must still be used, but in many situations speed can be modulated by just using the accelerator pedal. Using the paddles on the steering wheel, the amount of “engine braking” can be adjusted. On the highest setting, the vehicle slows quite significantly when the throttle/accelerator pedal isn’t pushed. This allows you to accelerate and slow the vehicle simply based on using one foot on the accelerator pedal. When the electric motor is slowing the vehicle, it is also charging the battery, which can help increase range.

Obviously, being a battery-operated electric vehicle, the e-tron is helping reduce emissions by not burning gasoline while driving, but there are quite a few other ways that Audi and e-tron vehicles are helping to be more ecologically friendly. The production facility in Brussels, Belgium where e-tron model range is produced has been certified as net carbon-neutral since 2018.*


*Certification provided by Vinçotte.  Based on partial reduction of emissions through use of renewable energy, in addition to purchased carbon offsets.

Costs can vary based on your individual home and its current electrical system setup. Audi e-tron EVs come with a portable charging unit for home use, however, to improve charging speed, it’s highly recommended that you have a 240V outlet installed outside your home, which the charger is compatible with.

Refer to your owner’s manual and EV charger manual for proper use. Consult with a qualified electrician regarding charger installation and always adhere to local building codes.

No. Audi vehicles do not have an automated mode. Audi has been developing driver assistance features to help improve the ease of the driving experience for years. In fact, Audi adaptive cruise control debuted in 2006. The following features allow for the vehicle to help control the driving experience: Audi active lane assist and Audi adaptive cruise assist with Traffic Jam assist.

While these features help the driver, they are not intended to be a substitute for attentive driving. Safety is of utmost importance to Audi, and we believe that the infrastructure and technology is not yet developed and tested to support fully automated driving without risking the safety of you, your passengers, pedestrians, or others on the road.

Driver Assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See owner’s manual for further details, and important limitations.

Yes, depending on how heavy it is. Audi e-tron SUVs and Sportbacks are capable of towing up to 4,000 lb.

Maximum tow rating when properly equipped with towing accessories. Vehicle load, other accessories and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle owner's manual for details.

Range/Planning Trips

The range of an EV, similar to that of a combustion engine, relies on a number of factors such as driving behavior, accessories used, temperature, terrain, driving route, and charging frequency. However, in order to help provide you with peace of mind for your journey, Audi e-tron EVs come equipped with the Audi Route planner, which shows you not only the charging stations along your route, but also estimates how many charges you will need to reach your destination.

Road trips are top of mind for EV owners, and, in reality, they are very similar to taking a trip in your current gas vehicle. Usually, drivers stop every couple of hours to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, eat, or get fuel. For instance, you can charge from 5%–80% in as little as 22.5 minutes* in a 2023 Audi e-tron GT when using a public high-speed charging unit capable of charging at 270 kW, you’re able to easily recharge during one of your normal road trip pit stops. The e-tron Route planner and other apps will help you create a route with plenty of high-speed charging options.


*Charging times will vary and depend on a variety of factors, including ambient temperature, charger type, battery condition, vehicle condition and others. 

Audi has spent extensive time on research and development, as well as testing our e-tron models, to ensure they meet the high quality standards synonymous with all of our vehicles. Significant time and effort has gone into the technology behind the e-tron battery and charging systems. Our focus is creating a reliable, long-lasting EV that is an Audi through-and-through, and range is one factor. Consider, on average, how much you drive each day and this can help determine how range plays a role. On average, 98% of all single-trip journeys in the U.S. are under 50 mi and premium vehicle owners average only 30 mi/day.* So while many people focus on the longest range, it doesn’t really affect daily driving—especially since you can fully charge at home every night.


*2017 Bureau of Transportation Statistics, National Household Travel Survey.

Charging

Audi e-tron vehicles are equipped with SAE Combined Charging System sockets (CCS).

It is not the charger, technically speaking. This equipment is known as EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and serves as a controller that ensures safe power delivery between your home and the vehicle.

Level 1 uses 120V. This is the slowest form of charging and is suited more for emergencies than for regular use. For example, with a Level 1 charger, the battery charge time on a 2023 Q4 e-tron takes approximately 84 hours at 1.4 kW for a full charge.* 

Level 2 uses 240V. This is the most common form of charging. For example, with a Level 2 EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, commonly to as the charger or charging unit), the battery charge time on a 2023 Q4 e-tron takes approximately 7.5 hours at 11 kW. Adding a Level 2 EVSE requires a 240V dedicated electrical circuit to be installed by a certified electrician at your place of residence or wherever you plan to charge. If you live in a multi-family or shared dwelling such as a condominium building or townhouse, we suggest to contact your housing or condo board to ensure that: a) an EV charging unit can be installed at your parking location, and b) there is enough power to supply and fulfill your charging requirements.

Level 3 is also known as a “DC Fast Charging” charging unit . This level is typically only found at public charging stations. It uses much higher voltage and amperage to deliver more charging power directly to the vehicle’s battery. For example, on a 2023 Audi e-tron GT, the charge goes from 5%–80% in as little as 22.5 minutes when using a 270 kW Level 3 charger.*


*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behavior, battery condition, current, resistance, and ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency.

When the vehicle is unlocked or the Advance Key is in the vicinity, press the button at the top right of the charge door to open e-tron and e-tron Sportback models. The charge door moves out and down for convenient access to the charging socket. For emergency or special circumstances, there is a manual charge door release under the hood by the driver-side “A” pillar. On e-tron GT models, open with the right pressure on the appropriate bottom corner of the charge door flap—similar to opening the fuel door on Audi gas models.

In order to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, contact your Audi dealer, who can help you locate a certified electrician to assess your home. You may also reference the Charging section of this Electric Vehicle Hub.

Charging times can vary significantly based on the type and “level” of charging unit you use, as well as how much energy is left in the battery.

For the e-tron SUV and Sportback, charging times are approximately:
0–100% on Level 2 AC 9.6 kW – about 10.5 hours*
0–80% on public DC 150 kW fast charger – about 30 minutes*


*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behavior, battery condition, current, resistance, and ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency.

Charging costs vary depending on where you choose to charge, with some businesses even offering free charging. When charging at home, energy rates vary depending on the time of day. You can easily set charging times on your e-tron to ensure you utilize off-peak hours with the lowest rates.

There are two ways to see how much charge is left on your Audi electric vehicle: view the gauge on your instrument cluster (which tells you the amount of charge in your battery as well as projected remaining range based on that charge); or, use your myAudi app to check the battery when you aren’t in your e-tron, which can help you prepare for your next trip and set the vehicle to charge at a certain time.

If remaining range warning at 30 mi is ignored and the e-tron is driven to 0 mi range, the vehicle will be forced to stop. You will have enough range to pull over. At that point, a two-stage emergency start reserve is available so the vehicle can be driven a short distance out of a dangerous area, for example. After this, the vehicle can only be restarted after it has been recharged.

Yes. The charging capsule is designed to withstand the wear-and-tear caused by various weather conditions to avoid issues while charging. We suggest when installing the charging hardware that you do so under a covered or sheltered building such as a garage. Continuous direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided.

Refer to your owner’s manual and EV charger manual for proper use. Consult with a qualified electrician regarding charger installation and always adhere to local building codes.

Just like stopping to refuel your current vehicle for road trips, charging frequency will depend on how far you travel. Similar to what would affect your gas vehicle, there are other variables that affect how frequently you will need to stop and charge, including: air-conditioning usage, speed, acceleration, temperature, and load weight (passengers and luggage in the vehicle). The Audi route planner can help you determine the number of stops you’ll need to make based on your trip, and will help pre-determine the most ideal charging locations to stop. Charging times will vary based on the amount of charge remaining in your e-tron, the amount you want to charge, as well as the speed of the charging unit you use.

To locate charging stations along your journey or near your home, use your myAudi app or the MMI navigation on your e-tron. Your e-tron will also automatically indicate nearby chargers and suggest a charging unit when your battery level reaches a certain level. You may also use third-party apps such as PlugShare to locate charging stations.

Other electric vehicle manufacturers may have a proprietary charging network which prevents other brands from using their charging units. The Audi e-tron models utilize a CCS (combined charging system) style charger, which is the most prevalent nationwide. You can use the myAudi app to locate charging units that are compatible with your Audi e-tron, which are compliant with SAE J1772 standards.

In most cases, you can download an app preloaded on your smartphone for the specific charging carrier and pay online for credits to use. You may also use your myAudi app.

Select model year 2023 Audi e-tron EVs now offer Plug&Charge*, a new feature that allows you to charge at any Electrify America public charging station conveniently without having to use the myAudi app. If you are a key user in your vehicle and have activated your Electrify America energy plan, simply plug in your vehicle at the station and your charging session begins automatically.


*Includes the following Audi e-tron EV models: e-tron, e-tron Sportback, e-tron S, and e-tron S Sportback. Does not include the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, the Audi e-tron GT, or the Audi RS e-tron GT.

Log into your myAudi app and select “Start Electrify America charger”. 

If the link is inactive, contact your nearest Audi dealer to become the Key User for your vehicle.

On the next screen, select “Unlock charging credits”.

On the next screen, input your mobile phone, agree to receive text messages, and agree to terms and conditions.

Select “Submit” to unlock your energy credits.

Audi e-tron EVs come with complimentary charging at Electrify America fast-charging stations across the country:

• 2023 Q4 e-tron/Q4 Sportback e-tron – 250 kWh for 2 years from date of sale
• 2023 e-tron/e-tron Sportback – 250 kWh for 2 years from date of sale
• 2023 e-tron S/e-tron S Sportback – 250 kWh for 2 years from date of sale
• 2023 e-tron GT/RS e-tron GT – 3 years unlimited from date of sale


*Complimentary charging is good for 2 years from the initial enrollment.

Requires acceptance of Promotion Terms & Conditions, myAudi account and myAudi app. Non-transferable. Not available for commercial use, such as ridesharing.  In the event of suspected fraud or abuse or other unforeseen events, Audi of America may discontinue or modify the offer in its sole discretion.  Frequent and consecutive charging can permanently decrease battery capacity, which may not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.

Battery

Audi e-tron EVs include a limited warranty* on the battery for 8 years/100,000 miles (whichever occurs first). Audi has designed a battery with independent cells that can be replaced by an Audi certified EV technician, which may prevent the need to replace the entire battery if any repairs are needed.


*8-year/100,000-mile (whichever occurs first) high-voltage battery limited warranty coverage on MY21 and newer Audi e-tron vehicles. Battery capacity decreases with time and use. Warranty coverage may not return battery capacity to an “as new” condition with 100% net capacity. See owner’s literature or dealer for limited warranty details.

It depends. In order to reduce the impact of extreme heat or cold temperatures on the battery, Audi recommends using the preconditioning feature while plugged in, allowing battery energy to be focused on driving rather than heating or cooling.

Using a public charging unit of any speed won’t have a negative effect on your battery. The biggest thing to keep in mind to help prolong the life and health of your battery is how often you charge to 100%. All batteries actually benefit when they aren’t constantly charged completely. While obviously, the range of your e-tron is at its maximum when the battery is charged completely, for most instances, you won’t need a full charge. It’s recommended to charge to 80% on most occasions when you don’t need the extra distance that comes along with a full charge. This is true when charging both at home and at public chargers.

Industry Guidance for Emergency Responders

In the case of on-road emergencies, please call 911.

As part of the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training program, Audi is working with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help prepare the nation's fire service and other first responders for the growing number of alternative fuel vehicles on the road.

Downloadable emergency response guides can be found here:

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/emergency-response/emergency-response-guides/audi

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