Charging
• Most electric car owners charge the battery at home or work. Public charging infrastructure is important for top-ups and longer journeys, however public chargers tend to attract higher electricity tariffs and vary in their charging capabilities (including slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid options).
• The most convenient way to charge is to install a home wall box. At night, your car is often parked for longer (and electricity rates may be less expensive, depending on your tariff) enabling a full charge to be ready for your commute the next day.
• How often you charge and how quickly you need to charge will depend on your journeys and mileage requirement, lifestyle and access to home, work and public charging. It’s a different mind-set and planning ahead is important.
• For example, some people may travel short distances the majority of the time, allowing them to do their journey (or multiple journeys) on a single charge. Whereas, others who travel longer distances may be more reliant on the public charging infrastructure on their route.
• It is important that before purchasing an electric vehicle that you take into account your daily journey and you consider your access to home, work and public charging options.
• Discover more on electric vehicle charging or watch our charging easy guide films below.
• Electric vehicles will have different AC and DC charging capabilities and charging speeds. Please refer to the model specific information below.
• For e-tron models, you can also check out our charging time calculator below.
• 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.
• Learn more about charging by watching our charging easy guide films below.
• 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.
• For further information on a model’s AC charging capabilities and on-board charger options please refer to the model specific information below.
• 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.
• For charging time information please refer to the model specific information below.
• For e-tron models you can also check out our charging time calculator below.
• The charging time will vary depending on the outside temperature, due to chemical processes occurring within the battery.
• Electric Audis come with the following as standard¹:
i. The Compact Charging System (capable of charging up to 11kW). The system consists of a control unit, with a Type 2 (Mode 2) AC vehicle charging cable on one side (which plugs into the AC socket on the car) and on the other side of the unit the following interchangeable cables:
1. Charging cable with a domestic 3 pin plug. Charging via a 3-pin plug will be very slow (see charging times below) however, this option may be a useful fall back in case of an emergency. For example, if you are away from home and need to plug into a 3-pin socket until you are able to find a more suitable charging point.
2. Charging cable with an industrial plug (7.4 kW Single Phase CEE32 blue 32 amps). Charging via industrial sockets (also commonly known as commando sockets) are not as common in the UK as in other European countries. In the UK, you may find these at some caravan sites and workshops. If you come across one, you can use it to charge your electric Audi, the cable has a charging speed capability of up to 7.4 kW.
ii. Type 2 (mode 3) AC charging cable for use with a home wall box or public charger.
• The Compact Charging System and its cables are suitable for outdoor use.
¹Correct as of May 2021. Please refer to the model specific information for the latest information.
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.
• The location of the charging points will vary by model. Please refer to the model specific information below.
• Plug-in hybrid models will have an AC (Type 2 socket) whereas fully electric models will also come with a DC (CCS socket) for rapid charging.
• 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.
• No, Audi electric cars currently don’t have this capability, but we may offer this in the future.
• Typically, electric vehicle drivers would charge their car to between 20 and 80% as this will enable the fastest charge. Like a mobile phone, charging is quickest the first 20% and once it passes 80% it slows to protect the battery’s longevity.
• Drivers also charge to 80% when using DC rapids in order to protect the lifespan of a battery. You can set your vehicle’s charging target to 80% via the MMI. For longer journeys, we recommend a charging target of 100%, as this generates the longest range.
• No, different manufacturers use different plug types.
• With AC charging, electric Audis (both plug-in hybrids and fully electric) use a Type 2 connector.
• With DC, electric cars use CCS (Combined Charging System, also known as Combo 2). DC charging is only available on fully electric models.
• Both Type 2 and CCS are the most common plug types in Europe.
• Electric Audis come with the Type 2 (Mode 3) public charging cable, as the chargers tend to be untethered. However, for DC charging (fully electric models only) the stations will usually have tethered cables, which is why they are not provided with the car.
• Discover more on electric vehicle charging or watch our charging easy guide films below.
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.
• Yes. The vehicle is designed to be safe whilst charging on rainy days. However, the plugs and sockets are not designed to be immersed in water. Make sure you do not allow excess water to get into the plugs or socket.
• 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.