Audi PH introduces EV charging solutions with e-tron models

MANILA: Audi Philippines is charging ahead its own way.

The brand is showing that EV charging is accessible and easy, alongside the carmaker's e-tron models. 

Audi Philippines has launched its fully electric e-tron cars — the e-tron SUV and the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT four-door coupés — which also come with EV charging solutions as part of the company's "FutureNow" initiative. 

For starters, the local Audi distributor will set up an alternating current (AC) charging dock inside the e-tron owner's garage. As international studies show, 88% of owners charge their electric vehicles at home, Audi Philippines said in a release. 

This allows owners to fully charge their e-tron's battery overnight, or whenever it is convenient to do so — just like for mobile phones. For added convenience, Audi e-tron owners can monitor the charging status of their vehicles via a smartphone app.

Charging the e-tron 55 quattro to full capacity will cost between P600 to P1,000 worth of electricity, Audi Philippines intimated to ZIGWHEELS PHILIPPINES. This provides significant savings over topping up an ICE-powered full-size SUV. 

With the home charging system, Audi Philippines performs a Home Check, coordinating with e-tron owners regarding their preference for the applicable location of the charger, the company added. 

Another charging solution is the Audi portable charging system, which allows the e-tron cars to be plugged into either a 220-volt household outlet or a three-phase industrial outlet. 

E-tron owners also have the option of having their cars charged at Audi dealerships — including a DC fast-charging station also being used by the Porsche Taycan.

Audi Philippines illustrated that e-tron owners can have a cup of coffee inside the dealership while their car is being juiced up, and the car will be ready by the time the cup (or two) is finished. 

More "FutureNow" charging solutions could come in the near future, too. The Audi distributor said it is in talks with establishments around the country, such as hotels, restaurants, and malls in setting up "destination chargers." 

At launch, the e-tron SUV comes in the e-tron 55 quattro variant, with the 50 quattro trim coming this year. The e-tron comes in e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT guises. 

The e-tron SUV is powered by two electric motors outputting 408hp and 664Nm of pull. When fully charged, the SUV can travel for up to 484 kilometers, as estimated by the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)

Similar to the SUV, the e-tron GT models have two electric motors, mounted on the front and rear axles to create an electric quattro all-wheel drive system.

For the e-tron GT, its motors produce 530hp and 630Nm. Meanwhile, the RS e-tron GT delivers 646hp and 830Nm, making it the most powerful production model Audi has ever made.

With a fully charged battery, the GT can travel as much as 500 kilometers while the RS e-tron GT can cover up to 481 kilometers (according to WLTP tests).

Photos from Audi Philippines and Dylan Afuang

Also read: Audi to begin construction of EV plant in China