Audi’s new EV charging service to be available in Europe next month

MANILA: Beginning on January 1, 2023, the new Audi charging service will be available in 27 European countries, and will be expanded throughout the year. It provides access to almost 400,000 charging points across the continent, run by over 800 different operators, including about 1,900 Ionity high-performance chargers.

Audi is collaborating with Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH and its Elli brand for its new charging service. The Audi e-tron Charging Service, was introduced four years ago after the launch of Audi's first fully electric model, will be replaced, and drivers of current Audi models as well as new customers will switch to the new service with a choice of three different tariffs: basic, plus, and pro.

Customers will have access to competitive charging rates right away, and for those who buy fully electric cars, Audi will pay the pro tariff base fee for the first year.

Electric vehicle drivers who regularly need to charge on the go are the target market for the pro tariff. Drivers in the UK are given a discounted charge of £0.35 (approximately P23) per kilowatt hour at AC charging stations and £0.43 (approximately P28) at fast DC charging stations instead of the monthly base rate of £12.95 (approximately P861). The pro tariff for the Ionity makes charging even more enticing, costing just £0.31 (approximately P20) per kilowatt hour.

The plus tariff, which has a monthly cost of £6.95 (approximately P462), is offered to drivers who charge on the road occasionally. Meanwhile, the basic tariff is intended for those who charge mostly at home and has no base fee but higher kilowatt pricing.

The country-specific rates apply when charging outside of the UK, providing electric vehicle owners with complete information about the cost of charging even before they leave the UK.

The Audi charging service's compatible charging point locations are linked into the MMI (Multimedia Interface) of the car and the myAudi app, which may be used to provide a pre-planned route to the vehicle. Furthermore, the given RFID (radio-frequency identification) card or the app can be used to unlock the charging stations and begin the charging process.

The Plug & Charge function is now offered by Ionity and will be made available by more providers in the future. It will be significantly more convenient and accessible on Audi Q4 and Audi Q8 e-tron models starting in mid-2023. Once the feature has been turned on from within the car, communication between the two devices is secured, allowing the charging process to begin as soon as the connector is plugged into the car. The payment method that has been saved in the myAudi app is used for billing. Soon after the market debut, Plug & Charge will be available in the new Audi charging network.

Customers may manage their entire Audi contract, including switching to a different tariff if necessary, within the myAudi app. Moreover, the app provides the prices for the selected charging station and concisely outlines each charging procedure. Only those Audi customers who drive battery electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids are eligible for Audi charging.

Photos from Audi

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