Electric FAQs

Get answers to the most common EV questions.

Driving Electric

A form of electrical power marked by a varying voltage and current. It reverses direction at a specific rate (in Canada at 60 times per second). 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 the e-tron 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.

One thousand Watts (1,000). A watt is an international unit for measuring power. This can be the power that electric motors are capable of putting out, such as the 300 kW of available  power in the e-tron (in boost mode). It can also refer to the power used to charge a battery, with higher number equating to faster charging rates. The e-tron supports up to 150 kW of charging power under the right conditions.
An international unit for measuring energy. One kWh is the equivalent energy to running a 1,000-Watt load for 1 hour. It is also the unit used to measure the size of a battery’s energy capacity. Bigger batteries can store more energy. The e-tron is equipped with a 95 kWh battery.

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 transferred 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 electric vehicle, the e-tron is helping reduce emissions by not burning gasoline, 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 carbon-neutral since 2018, and the e-tron GT is standard with leather-free seating surfaces, using all sustainable materials.

Costs can vary based on your individual home and its current electrical system setup. The e-tron comes with a mobile charger that can be used at home. To take maximum advantage of this charger and improve the charging speed, it’s highly recommended that you have a 240V outlet installed in your garage, which the charger is compatible with.
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 assist with 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.

Yes, depending on how heavy it is. Audi e-tron SUVs and Sportbacks are capable of towing up to 4,000 lb, that’s as much as an Audi TT on a lightweight trailer. And, the e-tron performs quite well when towing at capacity.

Range/Planning Trips

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

Within the Audi virtual cockpit on your Audi e-tron is a feature called range prognosis, which takes the high-voltage battery’s charge level and the energy consumption forecast to give you a prognosis. Several factors are considered to calculate this, and drive system consumption has the biggest effect on it.


For projected range, Audi distinguishes between two scenarios: an active navigation route and inactive navigation. For the active navigation route, projected consumption from the route profile (e.g., speed limits, green lights, differences in elevation) and current traffic information (e.g., traffic congestion and average energy consumption over the last 100 km are considered. Additionally, anticipated convenience and heat or air-conditioning consumption are assessed for the entire upcoming drive. When navigation is inactive, the average of the last 100 km) is applied to determine drive system consumption. Convenience and climate consumption are also assessed. By turning the convenience consumers on and off via the range monitor, users can see their direct impact on the range prognosis.


Range prognosis provides estimated range in both scenarios, and actual range may vary based on other factors, including battery and vehicle condition, vehicle load weight, terrain and external temperatures and conditions.

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. Because you can charge from 5%–80% in as little as 30 minutes* when using a high-speed charger, 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.


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

Audi has spent extensive time on research and development, as well as testing our e-tron models to help ensure they meet the high-quality standards synonymous with all of our vehicles. There is no compromise to vehicle performance or design when it comes to an Audi EV. As well, significant time and effort have gone into the technology behind the e-tron battery and charging systems. Our focus is on creating a reliable, long-lasting EV that is an Audi through-and-through, and range is just one factor. Consider, on average, how much you drive each day and this can help determine how range plays a role.

Charging

Audi e-tron vehicles are equipped with SAE Combined Charging System sockets (CCS).
Charging times can vary significantly based on the type and "level" of charger 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 AC 9.6 kW - about 10.5 hours*
0-80% on DC 150 kW - about 30 minutes*


*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behaviour, battery condition, current, resistance, and ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency.
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 Lebel 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 8.6 kW, the battery recharge time take approximately 10 hours.* Using the Audi charging system requires a NEMA 14-50 receptacle to be installed be 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 charger 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" charger.. 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 behaviour, battery condition, current, resistance, and ambient temperature, available voltage, and charging frequency.
The Audi Portable Charger is not the charger, technically speaking. This equipment is known as EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and serves as a controller that helps ensure safe power delivery between your home and the vehicle. Every Audi e-tron comes equipped with this charging system as standard.

With the Electrify Canada app, you can easily locate Electrify Canada DC fast chargers and find out if they're available. Most important of all, the Electrify Canada app provides access to your complimentary charging plan.


To charge your Audi e-tron using your complimentary Electrify Canada Audi e-tron Charging Plan, follow these steps:


Step 1: Download the Electrify Canada app, create your account and select “Set Up Public Charging.”


Step 2: Select “Choose Membership Plan” then “Premium Offers” or search for Premium Offer by vehicle information. Existing Electrify Canada members may select “Premium Offers” in the Account tab, then “I have an enrollment code.”


Step 3: Input your 6-digit enrollment code, which you will receive from your Audi dealer, and select the Audi e-tron Charging Plan. Input your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN for verification.


Step 4: Accept Plan Disclosure, then tap "Select this plan."


Step 5: Enter payment info and set up auto-reload. You will need to enter a payment method to cover any incurred Idle Fees or applicable taxes.


Offer enrollment can be as smooth as your journeys, but if you encounter any roadblocks, call 1-833-231-3226 to contact Electrify Canada Customer Assistance, available 24/7.*


*Estimated charging times are provided as a reference only. Actual charging times will vary based on battery state of charge, driving behaviour, 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.
Charging costs vary depending on where you choose to charge, with some businesses even offering free charging. When charging away from your home, using a Level 3 charger, the average cost to charge your battery from 0%–80% is about $0.15/kW (per Natural Resources Canada). 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.
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.
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.
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, 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 charger you use.
If remaining range warnings at 99 km and 49 km are ignored and the e-tron is driven to 0 km 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.
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 chargers when your battery level reaches a certain level. You may also use the PlugShare app to locate charging stations.

Other electric vehicle manufacturers may have a proprietary charging network which prevents other brands from using their chargers. 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 chargers that are compatible with your Audi e-tron, which are compliant with SAE J1772 standards.

Yes. The charging capsule is designed to withstand the wear and tear caused by various weather conditions in order 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.

Battery

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 public chargers 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/Training-and-Events/By-topic/Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle-Safety-Training/Emergency-Response-Guides/Audi