Range and Regenerative Braking

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What is the range on electric Audis?

• For range figures please refer to the model specific information.
• For a quick overview download the EV&me app, it’s free and available in iOS and Android stores.

Why does the range vary so much? What are the factors that impact range?

• Many factors can affect the range of an electric car which may have a positive or negative impact. Examples include your personal driving style, the starting charge of the battery, environment, outside temperature, weather, weight, accessories fitted (post-registration), aerodynamics, rolling resistance, load, route profile, and use of auxiliary systems like air conditioning and heating.
• Environmental factors such as the outside temperature (hot and cold weather) and weather can significantly affect the battery and range performance. This is because the ambient (air) temperature influences battery chemistry, affecting the efficiency with which chemical energy is converted to electrical energy within the battery, thereby reducing the maximum range. This effect is more pronounced during winter periods or in colder regions. Plus, you’re more likely to use applications like defrosting, heating and heated seats during cold weather (and air conditioning when it’s hot). Unlike combustion-powered cars that use heat energy lost from the engine to warm the car, all the energy comes from the battery.
• The type of road (e.g. driving in cities or on a motorway) will also affect range. Motorway driving is likely to return the worst range performance. This is unlike what we are used to seeing with conventional combustion-powered vehicles, which typically return their highest fuel consumptions under steady state conditions, such as motorway driving, despite the higher aerodynamic loads.
• For these reasons, the range displayed can regularly vary based on changes in driving conditions and on the above listed factors. You will notice a wider and more instant variance on range in electric vehicles than you do with fuel consumption for petrol or diesel powered cars.
• As a result, the official WLTP range figures stated may not reflect real world driving conditions and should be used for comparability purposes (with other vehicles tested under WLTP) only.
• To maximise your range it is important to plan ahead and adopt an efficient driving style.
• For e-tron models you may want to take a look at our e-tron range calculator.

e-tron range calculator

I have just picked up my new electric Audi and the range displayed when I charge the battery to full is different than expected, why is this?​

• When you first collect your new electric Audi, it’s normal to notice a range figure that’s different to what you’d expect, even on a full charge. This is because the car needs to ‘learn’ your driving habits before it can calculate a more accurate mileage range.
• Audi electric models have an intuitive system that takes into account previous driving journeys when calculating estimated range.
• The calculation will be based on energy consumption from previous driving journeys, driver’s usage patterns and factors such as if the car has been stationary for a period of time and whether features like air conditioning have been used.
• For these reasons, the range displayed in your electric Audi can regularly vary based on changes in driving conditions and on the above listed factors. You will notice a wider and more instant variance on range in electric vehicles than you do with fuel consumption for petrol or diesel powered cars.
• You can recalculate the range indicated in your electric vehicle based on the driver’s usage patterns by fully charging the battery and driving the car under moderate conditions for at least 300 miles.
• For e-tron models you may want to take a look at our e-tron range calculator.

e-tron range calculator​

How can I maximise the range of my electric Audi?

• Depending on your circumstances, there are ways to improve the range you can achieve from your electric Audi. For example selecting a higher recuperation level, selecting efficiency mode, limiting heating and air conditioning, or cooling or heating the vehicle while it’s being charged can also improve the range significantly.

Is it possible to increase the range of my electric Audi with software updates?

• A software update is now available for existing Audi e-tron 55 vehicles built before 18th November 2019. These updates include efficiency increases in the electric drive train and increasing the usable capacity of the high-voltage battery. This software update can increase driving range by up to a maximum of 20km (in WLTP cycle). The software update is free of charge and now available in Audi Service Centres, please contact your local Audi Centre for more details. We will communicate any further software updates as and when they become available. If you have any queries please contact your local Audi Centre.

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Will traffic jams and long waiting periods (during which the motor is switched on or off) affect the stated range?

• Minimal electrical power is consumed whilst electric Audis are stationary (for example, in traffic jams).
• If the car is parked for a long period of time, there’s very little battery charge loss (approximately 3% of charge is lost per month).
• Systems such as the air conditioning, lighting and infotainment system use electricity if they are switched on, so they can have an effect on the range.

Do electric Audis have regenerative braking? How does this work and how much range can I expect to get back?

• Yes, the energy recuperation system of Audi electric vehicles has the ability to recuperate energy.
• It does this by recovering energy from the wheel axles and converting it to an electric charge, the additional energy is then stored directly in the high-voltage battery. Audi electric vehicles can recuperate up to 30% more energy.
• Audi electric vehicles feature two types of recuperation via coasting or braking which can be activated by:

1. Deceleration (“One-Pedal”) Recuperation - Once you release the accelerator pedal, the electric motors act as a generator converting a large proportion of the car’s kinetic energy into electrical energy which is stored in the high voltage battery and increases the battery’s range.
2. Brake recuperation - This happens automatically when you press the brakes. The kinetic energy that was propelling the car forward escapes. But instead of being wasted as heat, kinetic energy is recovered from the wheel axles and is turned into an electric charge. In turn, this energy recharges the car’s electric battery and increases range. When you need to come to a stop quickly, the car will switch from recuperating using the electric motor to using the brake discs to slow you down, the transition between the two is seamless.

• You can select the intensity of recuperation either automatically or manually. In automatic mode, the car decides when and how to recuperate by analysing the driving situation.
• In manual mode, you can select three recuperation levels via a paddle on the steering wheel (standard on e-tron and e-tron Sportback – please check model specific information for other models). Selecting a stronger level will increase the recuperation intensity, harvesting more energy, and therefore maximising your range.