Making sense of electric

What is a BEV

All the world loves an acronym and nowhere are they more prevalent than in the automotive world. With the increasing variety of all-electric and hybrid vehicles becoming available to Australian consumers, the prevalence of acronyms describing their respective drivelines can and does become confusing. Add to that the model’s identifying designation and the confusion can be magnified – but that need not be the case.

In Australia, Audi offers a growing range of BEV or Battery Electric Vehicles, which as the name suggests, are all-electric models. Available in both SUV and Sportback guise, as well as the two grand tourers (GTs) these vehicles rely solely on electric power for propulsion and have no engine as found in a ‘traditional’ ICE or Internal Combustion Engined vehicle. All Audi e-tron models which have been available in Australia since 2020, are BEV all-electric models and include the Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron S, Audi e-tron S Sportback, Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. 

What is a PHEV

A hybrid drive vehicle which is also known as a PHEV or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, combines a rechargeable electric battery and electric motor with a combustion engine. These offer the ability to drive a certain distance on purely electric power, but also the ability to switch seamlessly to use their petrol powerplant as required. 

In Australia, the Audi Q5 TFSI e quattro and the Q5 Sportback TFSI e quattro arriving from July are PHEVs, offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric, emission-free motoring, in addition to a powerful yet efficient 2.0-litre TFSI engine.

With the Q5 TFSI e quattro, the driver can select whether they wish to use purely electric power, combustion power or a combination of both, choosing from four distinct drive modes – Hybrid mode, Charge, EV mode or Hold. 

These models will be joined on the Australian market by the Audi Q8 TFSI e which brings this same PHEV versatility to the full-sized luxury ranks.

Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV)

There is also a system in some ICE models called a Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (MHEV), which utilises a 48-volt system that functions as the car’s main electrical system and allows power recuperation of up to 12kW, plus start-stop operation from 22km/h. 

The belt alternator starter recovers power under gentle acceleration and feeds it into a lithium-ion battery as electricity. If the driver releases the accelerator at a speed between 55 and 160km/h, the drive management will select one of two options. Depending on the driving situation and the settings in Audi drive select, the vehicle will either recover energy or coast with the engine switched off. Or when the driver uses the accelerator, the belt alternator starter will start the engine again. MHEV technology allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22km/h and as soon as the vehicle in front starts moving, the engine will spring back to life – even if the brakes are applied.

This MHEV technology is used in Audi vehicles as diverse in character as the benchmark Audi A8, right through to the performance-oriented Audi SQ5 TDI.

Charging your electric vehicle at home

While Audi models featuring MHEV technology don’t require charging, all BEV and PHEV models need to be periodically charged. All Audi BEV and PHEV models come with their own charger and cables required to charge them, but in addition, Audi owners can opt to have charging facilities installed in their home or place of business.

Residential outlets use AC or Alternating Current electricity and homes will either operate using Single Phase or Three Phase power which will determine the speed at which your Audi will charge.

A typical Single Phase system operates at between 2.3kW and 7.4 kW which means a vehicle like an Audi e-tron 55 for example with its 95kWh Lithium-ion battery, will charge to full capacity from completely empty overnight.

Where a residence has been upgraded to Three Phase power, its output can increase to up to 22 kW which will effectively halve charging time. That means that the same Audi e-tron 55 will charge from empty to 100 percent in charge in around 4.5 hours.