The abbreviation AC stands for "alternating current", and DC stands for "direct current". Both alternating current and direct current can be used to charge electric vehicles, whereas only alternating current can be used for plug-in hybrids. Only direct current can be stored in the battery. The alternating current therefore has to be converted into direct current. This is why electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have an AC/DC converter that converts the alternating current from household and industrial sockets, as well as from the public alternating current charging station, into direct current, and stores it in the high-voltage battery. When charging an electric vehicle with direct current (e.g., at public DC or HPC charging stations that have a built-in AC/DC converter), the current flows directly into the high-voltage battery. This enables higher charging currents to be achieved and the vehicle to be charged faster.

The e-tron Charging Service7 network offers access to more than 200,000 charging points in 25 European countries (as of June 2020). Customers of the Audi e-tron Charging Service have the choice between two attractive tariffs that suit their daily driving routine.

HPC stands for high-power charging, and enables an electric vehicle to be charged faster, especially on long journeys. IONITY is an HPC provider and will have around 400 charging stations, with an average of 6 charging points, in 25 countries by 2020. IONITY charging stations enable charging powers of up to 350kW. Around 30 minutes13 are enough to charge the high-voltage battery of the Audi e-tron and Audi e-tron Sportback at an express charging station for a range that is suitable for long distances – the Audi e-tron 55 quattro14 and Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro14 achieve a charging capacity of up to 150 kW, and the Audi e-tron 50 quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback 50 quattro achieve a charging power of up to 120 kW.

An on-board charger (OBC) with 11 kW3 is built into the vehicle as standard. A second OBC can optionally be ordered for a charge for the Audi e-tron 55 or Audi e-tron Sportback 55. With two on-board chargers, AC charging using up to 22 kW is possible. When using direct current (DC), the Audi e-tron 55, for example, charges using up to 150 kW, as standard, at express charging stations. For precise information about when this will be deployed in the e-tron 50 or Audi e-tron Sportback 50 and the e-tron S or Audi e-tron Sportback S, please contact your Audi partner.

These steps describe the procedure in all-electric Audi models. In addition to the points mentioned here, you will find all the relevant information and notes in your vehicle log book under the menu "High-voltage battery – Charging – Starting charging"

1. The vehicle must be unlocked
2. To open the loading flap, press the button above the loading flap. The loading flap is located on the front wing on the driver's side (optional AC charging socket; depending on the features and fittings, also on the passenger side)
3. If necessary, use the supplied cable from the vehicle (located in the storage compartment under the bonnet). The bonnet release is located in the footwell on the driver's side
4. Firmly insert the plug and hold it until locking has ended (pulsing white LED)
5. Activate/pay for the charging station (hold the RFID card up to the reader of the charging station or start the charging process via the app) and follow the instructions at the charging station
Note: Only use charging cards (e.g., from the e-tron Charging Service) that are approved or accepted by the relevant provider. Use other providers or credit cards if necessary
6. Monitor the charging LED (flashing green = vehicle is charging). The legend is located next to the charging socket, in the form of a sticker
7. The charging energy and estimated charging time will be displayed in the instrument cluster as soon as the door is open: it can also be found in the myAudi app.

Ending charging:
8. Unlock the vehicle
9. End the charging process on the vehicle by pressing the buttons on the charging flap. If necessary, acknowledge the charging process at the charging station by holding up the RFID card again – observe the instructions at the charging station.
10. Pull out the charging plug (the ability to unlock is indicated by the illuminated LED above the flap). If necessary, press the button again to unlock
11. If necessary, stow the cable back in the vehicle

This answer applies to all-electric Audi models. In the MMI menu, under "Vehicle/Charging & Efficiency", you will see the menu item "Charge..." – here, you can view the exact percentage state of charge of the battery. The charging slider, which you can use to define the target charge level, will also be displayed there. There is also the option of transferring this submenu to the shortcut menu by pressing and holding it. The battery level can also be viewed on the start page of the myAudi app and in the "Charge planning" tab in the myAudi app.

The Audi e-tron models and plug-in hybrids contain the e-tron compact charging system as standard, and, if chosen as an option, the e-tron models additionally include the connect charging system, which you can use to charge flexibly at home via a household or industrial socket. The compact charging system consists of an operating unit, including a vehicle connection cable and two mains connection cables – one with a household plug and one with an industrial plug. The compact charging system has a charging capacity of up to 11 kW3 for Audi e-tron models, and up to 7.4 kW3 for plug-in hybrids. On the control unit, the user can manually switch between 100 percent and 50 percent charging performance. This can be useful if various other electrical appliances are already in use at home. The e-tron compact charging system displays the status of the charging system and the charging process by means of LEDs on the operating unit. Your Audi partner will be happy to put you in touch with an electrician who will carry out an individual and professional test of your home electrical system.

The e-tron Charging Service is part of a holistic charging offering from Audi and currently provides access to public charging infrastructure in 25 European countries. The proprietary Audi charging card bundles more than 200,000 charging points from more than 400 different international charging station operators. Among others, the Ionity high-power charging network is connected to the e-tron charging service.

The Audi e-tron and Audi e-tron Sportback enable short charging stops. When charging at an HPC station with a max. charging power of up to 150 kW, a battery state of charge (SoC) of 80% can be achieved in a short time. As a result, these models only need around 30 minutes13 for a typical charge from 5% to 80 % at a high-power charging (HPC) station. If, on the other hand, you want to fill the battery to 100% in order to be able to exploit the maximum range, you will only need another 20 minutes thanks to the sophisticated battery management system. You can clearly simulate the length of your charging stops with the help of our charging time calculator on our website.

Along the motorway, e-tron customers can use the Transit Tariff to charge at the high-power charging stations of the IONITY network at special conditions using the proprietary Audi charging card. There, the customer only pays for the amount of energy actually charged.
The price of 31 cents per kilowatt hour that the customer receives when they have concluded an e-tron Charging Service7 Transit Tariff is equivalent to the average price for household electricity. 100% of the energy comes from renewable energy sources. Additional high-power charging points (HPC) from other providers complete the offering from the e-tron Charging Service7 for long routes.