Audi has launched a new E-Tron Charging Service for owners of plug-in models. The service will allow drivers to plug and pay at a variety of charging points, using a variety of networks, using one RFID card. This negates the need for multiple subscriptions, apps and accounts. Audi calls it “the convenience of consolidation”.
At present, Audi has 18 UK companies on board. Needless to say, Ionity is involved. It’s joined by Pod Point, Source London, Instavolt and more. A single monthly invoice is generated, based on two fixed tariffs. The Charging Service will charge the user’s account based on their usage without any input.
“The general perception of EV charging is that it is confusing and inconvenient, and we want to help to gradually dispel that belief,” said Andrew Doyle, director of Audi UK.
“We started by equipping the E-Tron with the potential for fast charging at up to 150kW, and are now removing another layer of complexity for our EV owners by streamlining the end-to-end process, from charging activation to invoicing, with this new service.”
Charging tariffs – for urban and commuter owners
Two tariffs are tailored towards two different kinds of users. The first is the City tariff. Audi says it’s best-suited to plug-in hybrid owners driving short distances. The base rate is £4.95 per month, with customers paying standard rates of 30p per kWh for AC charging, or 39p per kWh for DC fast-charging.
Rates at other points can vary. Using the E-Tron Charging Services card at free charge point, as you’d hope, incurs no charge, but you can still use the card to activate the charge point instead of needing a dedicated account like so many do.
Transit tariff – save 60 percent over the standard Ionity rate
The Transit tariff is for more hardcore EV drivers, specifically owners of E-Tron models. £16.95 gets you the fastest charging available across Europe, at a rate of 150kW from Ionity chargers specifically. An E-Tron can be replenished to 80 percent inside 30 minutes, at a rate of 28p per kWh. The savings are significant, with a 60 percent reduction versus what you’d pay as standard with Ionity.
E-Tron owners will also get the Transit tariff for free for the first year. Pricing for the everything else, remains the same as it is on the City tariff.
Audi E-Tron Charging Service – how do you do it?
This is the appeal of Audi’s new charging service. Pull up to a participating charge point, tap your card at the point of authorisation and charge away.
No accounts or detail entries required. What’s good for E-Tron owners is that the sat-nav should be able to identify eligible charging points.