As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) grows, along with the brands and models available, charging time has become a critical factor in deciding which vehicle to buy. Other Enel X Way JuiceBlogs address how long it takes to charge a Tesla, a Chevy Bolt, and a Nissan Leaf. Some consumers contemplate whether to buy hardwired versus plug-in models. But now we turn to the 2022 Audio e-tron. We’ve already taken a look at how to charge the Audi e-tron, but how long does it take to charge an Audi e-tron? What are the pluses and minuses of Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging? And how far can you go once you’ve juiced up?
Audi e-tron battery size and charger types
Charging time for any EV depends on the battery size, how depleted it is, and the charging equipment, including the level and rate. Audi offers the e-tron in several models with varying battery capacity, power (motor size), and charging speed. The Audi e-tron uses a Combined Charging Standard (CCS) consisting of a single port that handles both AC and DC connectors.
Audi e-tron charging rate
The charging time for Audi e-tron vehicles range from an industry-leading 30 minutes with 480-volt DC fast charging to more than three days with a 120-volt Level 1 charger. The charging characteristics you choose depends on your driving habits overall and needs at the moment.
Level 1 charging
Level 1 charging is arguably the easiest to set up but the least efficient if you need to go anywhere in a hurry. You can plug your Audi e-tron Level 1 charger into a standard 120-volt outlet in your home or garage. Fully charging the 95-kWh battery on the standard Audi e-tron takes about 80 hours or 3.3 days. But if you’re recharging what you’ve used to drive to work and run a few errands, you can add about 4 miles of range per hour of charging. You may still prefer to speed up the process a bit by installing a plug-in or hardwired Level 2 charging station at your home or using DC fast charging at work, businesses, or public charging stations.
Level 2 charging
You can install a Level 2 charging station like the Enel X Way JuiceBox 40 in your home and charge your Audi e-tron up to 9 times faster. With JuiceBox, you have 240 volts available, so instead of 3.3 days to fill up, you can plug it in after work and be ready to roll when you wake up in the morning.
DC fast charging
To achieve the industry-leading charging speed of 80% in 30 minutes requires DC fast-charging capabilities at a rate of up to 155 kW. Eighty percent is the standard DC charging benchmark because If a battery continually is charged to 100% capacity, the stress eventually impacts that capacity and is thus discouraged. Also of note: charging is much faster when you first plug in your EV—the process of charging even a single electron slows down as you try to cram more into the battery.
Where to charge your Audi e-tron
Most electric vehicle owners charge at home, and the Level 2 charging capabilities for the Audi e-tron are sufficient for overnight charging. On the go, if you want to know where the DC fast-charging stations are, there are a number of apps and services to help you find them. Among the most prominent is PlugShare, a community-based EV charging station map tool available for iOS, Apple Watch, Android, and web browsers.
When to charge your Audi e-tron
Whether you charge your Audi e-tron at 5 pm or 1 am will make a difference in the cost to charge and your carbon footprint. Smart charging stations like the Enel X JuiceBox, which can allow you to schedule your charging to times when electricity rates are low, help reduce peaks in energy demand across the grid and promote the use of renewable solar and wind energy when it’s most abundant. With Enel X Way’s JuiceEco Renewable Energy Certificates, you can match the electricity you use to charge the Audi e-tron, reducing your EV charging carbon footprint even more.