FAQs

AC (or alternating current) is the type of current supplied to our homes and work by the National Grid. It is most often supplied via a 3-pin socket. Because this current is easily accessible, it is the most common type of current used for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at home and on the public network. To charge using this current, your electric Audi uses a Type 2 plug. This is the most common plug type in Europe. You can use the Type 2 (mode 3) AC charging cable that comes as standard with the car to charge with your home wall box or AC public charger (if untethered). DC (or direct current) enables faster charging, because it has a higher voltage. Only fully electric vehicles, just like our Audi e-trons, can charge using DC. This type of electricity is only accessible via specialised DC chargers, usually found on motorways and some large retailers. All DC chargers will have specialist tethered cables attached to their units. To charge using this current, your electric Audi uses a CCS (Combined Charging Systems) plug (which is the EU standard and most common plug in Europe). AC charging is often better for the longevity of an electric vehicle battery than DC rapid charging. Therefore when using DC rapid chargers, charging the battery up to just 80% instead of 100% can help protect its lifespan. This will accommodate most everyday journeys and will protect your battery. If you’re going on a longer journey, it’s fine to fully charge the battery, as this generates the longest range.

An on-board charger enables an electric vehicle to charge on AC (Alternating Current). It is located inside the car and converts the AC power provided through the AC (Type 2 socket) charging point to DC (Direct Current) to charge the battery.
On board chargers will vary in their capacities which will impact the AC charging capabilities of a vehicle.
To find out more, use the model page or configurator of the car you're interested in.

The charging time of the battery can vary depending on a number of factors, examples include the ambient and battery temperature, the power available at the charging station, state of charge and battery ageing, whether you are using the remote preconditioning feature or have the auxiliary functions on whilst charging.
Charging times will also be affected by the charging curve. For example, once charging passes 80%, charging will slow to protect the battery’s longevity.
To find out more, use the model page or configurator of the car you're interested in.

The charging time will vary depending on the outside temperature, due to chemical processes occurring within the battery.

Audi e-tron cars come with the equipment to charge in three different ways.
The most commonly used cable is the AC charging cable which you use with your home wall box or at public charging stations. This is known as a Mode 3 charging cable 22kW (AC).
The second cable is a household 3-pin plug. Charging with this cable will be very slow, however this option may be a useful fall back in case of emergency in the absence of a home or public charging point. You use this cable alongside the charging system, which also comes with your e-tron (capable of charging up to 11kW). You simply connect the 3-pin lead into the charging system box, and then plug the attached AC cable into your car- think of it as an adaptor!
Finally, the third cable is one that is perhaps used least often for most people - the industrial plug. This is a 7.4kW single phase CEE32 blue 32 amp cable and isn't as common in the UK as in other European countries. You're most likely to use it at campsites or in workshops for example. You use this cable with your charging system as well, just like you would above in the 3-pin cable.
If you have any questions about the cables that come with your e-tron or how to use them, please speak to your local Audi Centre. Information correct at February 2024.

1) Locate the lever on the Compact Charging System
2) Lift the lever all the way up
3) Pull the cable connector out until the first point of resistance
4) Close the lever and pull the connector all the way out
Next, to attach a cable:
5) Lift the lever all the way up and push the new cable all the way in
6) Close the lever.

Rapid charging (with a charging capacity above 23 kW) is harder on the battery. To help protect the longevity of the battery, use AC charging. For DC rapid charging, charge the battery up to 80% for everyday use and 100% for long distance drives.

There are two primary plug types used in Europe:
AC charging is the most common, using a Type 2 connector, and is used for home wallbox charging and slower public charging. Both fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars use this plug type.
DC charging is for rapid public charging and use a CCS (combined charging system) connection. This type can only be used on fully electric cars.
Electric Audi cars come with the AC (Type 2 ) cable as standard. DC (CCS) connectors are usually always attached to the public charging station itself and so don't come as standard with your Audi e-tron.
To find out more about plug types and charging information, visit our Charging and Range page

1. Choose a charging unit - either a home wall box or public AC charging unit (Type 2) or DC charger (CCS). DC chargers are for fully electric models only. If you’re using a public charging station, it is important to follow the instructions given on the unit or payment app.
2. Locate your cables. Electric vehicles come with a Type 2 (Mode 3) AC public charging cable. This is the cable that you will need for charging on a public AC charger or home wall box. Some public AC chargers may have a tethered cable, if this is the case you do not need to use your electric vehicle charging cable. If you are using a DC charger, you will need to use the cable tethered on the unit.
3. Locate your car’s charging port. On plug-in hybrid cars, you will only have an AC port, whilst on fully electric Audi cars, you will have both AC/DC ports.
4. Connect the cable - one side of the charging cable easily fits into the charging point of the car and the other (if applicable) into the charger. The cars charging access point will remain open whilst the cable is connected.
5. Let the car charge - when the charging LED light begins to flash green, you know your Audi is charging. If you lock the car, the charge will continue and the cable will remain locked to the car until you return and unlock the car. Charging is complete when the charging LED light stops flashing and remains green.
6. Track the charge - you can track the charge progress using the myAudi app (users will need to register a myAudi account by clicking on the link below). You can also set charging targets and timers via the car’s MMI. If you need help, you can also watch our easy film guides below.
7. To stop the charge, just unlock the car and press the button to release the cable. If you’re using a public charging station, you may need to stop the process on the charging station unit or payment app first.
We recommend you review your Owner's Manual for model specific charging information.

Charging will begin once the green LED light indicator begins to flash. Once the green light is constant, the car is fully charged or has reached its charging target.

First ensure you have tried unlocking the car and pressing the button located on the charging access point. If the cable doesn’t release, please refer to the Owner's Manual for further instructions on how to release the charging cable manually. Alternatively, WhatsApp us on 01137 334 311, contact our customer care team on 0800 699 888 or email customer.services@audi.co.uk.
If you are charging on a public charging unit please contact the charging operator (a telephone number should be on the unit) for assistance.

Sometimes, your Audi will display as fully charged if it has reached a charging target that is lower than 100% as set in the MMI. To check if a charging target has been set, please check your vehicle’s charging target via the MMI screen.
If a target has been set, you can change the target to 100%, and then continue to charge to full capacity if needed.

Essentially there are three ways to charge your electric vehicle:
via a 3-pin household wall socket, which is slow but available widely;
via a wallbox which can be installed at your home if you have e.g. suitable off-street parking available and is substantially faster and more practical than a 3-pin plug; and
via public or on the road charging points, which can be the fastest way to charge, especially where rapid or ultra rapid options are available. Availability of public charging is increasing all the time. For the latest availability please visit the ZapMap website for further details.

There are a number of variables that will influence the total cost of a charge - these include factors such as the percentage of charge you're starting at and where you're charging (home or public). Use our home charging cost calculator to find out more about home charging cost estimations, or explore Audi charging service for information on public charging tariffs.

While many Audi e-tron cars have been designed with bi-directional technology, the interfaces and wallboxes are not currently available to enable this. Instead, we’re focusing at the moment on intelligent charging functionality which maximises energy usage while minimising costs.
Bi-directional charging essentially allows you to use your car’s battery as a power source. This could be ‘Vehicle to Load’ that allows you to use the car’s battery to charge devices, such as a scooter or e-bike; ‘Vehicle to Home’ that allows you to transfer energy back into your house from your vehicle, utilising dynamic energy tariffs to draw on stored electricity during peak periods; or ‘Vehicle to Grid’ that enables the transfer of electricity back from your EV into the grid.