Dawn of a new era

The Audi e-tron prototype is paving the way for a brave new world of e-mobility.

It may still seem the stuff of science fiction, but with fast-charging solutions and extended range all a reality, the Audi e-tron prototype is already changing the way we view mobility.

23 April, 2018

It may look like a crazy science fiction experiment, but the Audi e-tron prototype’s visit to the world’s largest switchgear production facility – the Faraday cage at the Siemens high-voltage test bay in the Berlin – is just another part of its exhaustive testing ahead of production later this year.

Here, a team of electricians and engineers are researching lightning impulse voltages of up to three million volts. Built in 1958, the parabolic hall houses an impulse voltage generator the size of a house and the Audi e-tron prototype is right on the middle of it.

Flashes of light dance with a pulsating crackle over the car’s roof, lighting up the 25 metre high hall. The experts have aimed a flashover voltage at the car. This experiment symbolises something that people have been dreaming of for thousands of years: to capture lightning bolts and use their energy. And while today you can’t use a lightning bolt to charge an electric car, Audi’s engineers have come a step closer to realising the vision of lightning-fast charging.

The production version of the Audi e-tron prototype is the first car on the market* that can be charged with up to 150kW. At high-power charging stations using the European charging standard Combined Charging System (CCS), the Audi e-tron prototype is ready to set off on the next long-distance stage of its journey in less than 30 minutes. The key feature behind this is the sophisticated thermal management system for the lithium-ion battery.

"Audi’s engineers have come a step closer to realising the vision of lightning-fast charging."

"All together, customers can use more than 65,000 public charging stations throughout Europe. Their number will increase significantly in the years ahead."

Located in the vehicle floor, it stores 95kWh of energy to provide a range of over 400 kilometres in the realistic WLTP test cycle. The SUV offers full everyday usability and by the end of 2018, there will be nearly 200 of these high-power charging (HPC) stations with six charging points each. Plans call for 400 locations at intervals of 120 kilometres along highways and main transport routes by 2020.

In addition to fast charging with direct current, the electric SUV can also be charged on the move with alternating current at AC chargers, with up to 11kW standard and optionally with 22kW. All together, customers can use more than 65,000 public charging stations throughout Europe. Their number will increase significantly in the years ahead. At market launch, Audi will provide e-tron customers simplified access to roughly 80 percent of these charging stations with a proprietary charging service. Whether it’s AC or DC, 11kW or 150kW – just one card is all customers will need to start the charging process.

The procedure will become even more convenient with the function Plug & Charge, which is set to debut in 2019. A card will no longer be needed – the car authorises itself and unlocks the charging station. Longer trips can be planned either in the myAudi app or directly in the car.

In both cases the customer is shown the appropriate route with the required charging points. The navigation system considers not only the battery’s charge but also the traffic situation and includes the required charging time in its arrival time calculation. DC charging stations and most AC chargers throughout Europe are included.

Audi also offers various solutions for charging at home. An electrician referred by the local Audi dealer will check which charging options are available in the customer’s garage and install the corresponding technology. The standard mobile charging system can be used in two ways: with a charging power of up to 2.3kW when connected to a 230 volt household outlet and with up to 11kW when connected to a 400 volt three-phase outlet. In the latter case, the battery can be fully recharged in roughly 8.5 hours. With the optional connect charging system, charging power doubles to 22kW provided that the electric SUV is equipped with the required second charger.

Customers can also define their own personal priorities, such as charging when electricity is less expensive. If the home is equipped with a photovoltaic system, the car can be charged preferentially using the electricity generated by the system, and charging even considers forecast phases of sunshine.

*This story refers to charging options currently available in Europe.

"An electrician referred by the local Audi dealer will check which charging options are available in the customer’s garage and install the corresponding technology."

Dawn of a new era

The Audi e-tron prototype is paving the way for a brave new world of e-mobility.

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