When is something a success? And how can real progress be identified? “To understand whether something has succeeded and how much progress has been made, you have to first look back to the very beginning and then to the present day,” says Aurel Vietoris. Vietoris heads up Verification and Validation Alternative Drives at Audi and is very experienced when it comes to test runs with electric cars.

Sophisticated processes and quality standards in development and testing demonstrate the level of professionalism of the company in dealing with electric mobility. Audi has defined benchmarks here to the benefit of all of the Group’s brands. For example, with accurate reports for how test vehicles are tested at the charging terminals. Christian Brem: "Through our work we lay the foundations to help us develop future electric cars throughout the entire Volkswagen Group – regardless of the brand and the underlying technological drive platform."

The company has continued to expand its fully electric portfolio over recent years with the Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron models as well as the Audi Q2 e-tron² and Audi Q5 e-tron³ for the Chinese market. The use of synergies in the Volkswagen Group has been a proven procedure in this regard for many years in order to be able to offer customers high-tech vehicles that are adapted in terms of character to the respective brand. For example, the Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron share the same drive platforms⁴ with models from the Group brands Porsche, Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda. This philosophy will also continue to be pursued in drive platforms⁴ such as the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) or, in the future, the SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) and primarily the electronics architectures (E³) developed by the Group brand CARIAD.

Even the Audi e-tron, Audi’s first fully electric series-production vehicle, benefited from platform synergies. And directly became a success. “Since it was introduced around five years ago, we have sold more than 150,000 units in 99 markets,” says Dr. Christiane Zorn, Head of Product Marketing at AUDI AG. “The numbers speak for themselves and prove what a major success story this is.” The model was the top-selling passenger car in Norway in 2020, for example. In addition, the Audi e-tron was awarded the distinction of “Best car to buy” (Green Car Reports) in the USA.

The Audi Q8 e-tron⁵, which is set to hit dealerships in selected markets in 2023, will build on these successes and even overtakes its predecessor in many key aspects. For example, its range – measured according to WLTP – has been increased by more than 30 percent to up to 600 km⁶. The maximum DC charging capacity has increased to 170 kW, which means that the battery in the Audi Q8 e-tron⁷ can be charged⁶ from 10 percent to up to 80 percent in just 31 minutes.

The electric drive system of the Audi Q8 e-tron¹ combines the extremely varied demands that drivers make of a full-size SUV in a complete package with high performance.

What progress has Audi made on the topic of the charging infrastructure? “We focused from the outset on the requirements and demands of customers,” says Jens van Eikels, who heads up the Charging project house. "Just shortly after the market introduction of the Audi e-tron the company was already offering customers extensive opportunities to charge their cars: both for charging at home including a green electricity offer and for public charging." Since the beginning of 2023, Audi charging⁸ has given customers access throughout Europe to around 400,000 public charging points as well as to the IONITY fast-charging network – a joint venture in which the Volkswagen Group is involved along with Porsche and Audi. Audi is also collaborating with partners in China and the USA to develop the charging infrastructure.

Attention is not just focused at present, however, on expanding the charging infrastructure in terms of quantity, but also as regards quality. Thus, making sure that the charging experience is as positive as possible is increasing in importance. Plug & Charge⁹ is one such feature that guarantees this in selected models such as the Audi Q8 e-tron¹ at compatible charging terminals, the vehicle authorizes itself when the charging cable is inserted and activates the terminal; the billing process is fully automatic as well. In addition, the team of Jens van Eikels has already set its sights firmly on charging infrastructure issues that will be important for customers in the future, such as bidirectional charging (see box).

With its Audi charging hubs, Audi is also establishing modern fast-charging stations with high-power charging bays that can be booked in advance and with the option of a lounge for customers. “With our Audi charging hubs we are placing the emphasis on a premium charging experience,” explains Ralph Hollmig, who heads up the Premium Charging department. The first Audi charging hubs have already been in operation for a number of months and are used frequently by customers. “We are especially satisfied with the repetition rate of 70 percent. It shows that customers are being encouraged to return because of the good experience with the charging process locally and the atmosphere,” says Hollmig.