Eckstein takes a look at the Audi virtual cockpit and knows where the next quick-charging station is waiting — in just a few kilometers. He quickly makes a turn to head to the IONITY quick-charging station. The other two electric cars that have joined him for the tour through Europe follow along. Charging stations are often casually referred to as electric gas stations or “e-gas stations”. But charging an electric car has little in common with filling up a standard car.
Eckstein unlocks the quick-charging station with a standard RFID card. “I could also scan a QR code with my phone to sign in,” he explains and points to the QR sticker. “In Europe, the CCS2 charging connectors are standard,” Eckstein says, as he connects the cable to the charging station. CCS2 stands for Combined Charging System and is used by the majority of car manufacturers.In China, the USA, and Japan, other connectors are standard, but “the CCS2 connector will definitely work anywhere in Europe.”
Electricity flows into the electric car’s battery. The high-powered charging system with 150 kW makes the wait at the e-gas station considerably shorter. Both the high-powered charging station and the Audi Virtual Cockpit show clearly which power level is being used for charging, how many kilowatt hours have been charged at this stop, and how full the battery currently is.