missing translation: fa.article-intro.reading-time – 02/24/2023
Audi Q8 e-tron: electric power consumption (combined): 24.4–20.1 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions (combined): 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A
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.
When you listen to him describing the details of the first test runs, you get the sense that the age of electric mobility only began less than a decade ago. “When we conducted the first tests with the Audi e-tron in 2016, this was a time filled with adventures for us as employees in Technical Development. We broke new ground every day,” says Aurel Vietoris and looks to his colleague Christian Brem.
Brem, who is responsible for validation of alternative drives and an expert in all matters related to charging, got to drive the test vehicles too at the time: “That was a completely new world. Firstly, the vehicle itself with a new drive technology and secondly the charging, which replaces the refueling process familiar to customers. The charging infrastructure was not really developed as yet, there were no digital overviews or apps with all the fast-charging terminals.”
They have driven thousands of test kilometers and tested charging processes at charging points around the world: Audi test drivers Aurel Vietoris (right) and Christian Brem from Technical Development.
Fill up as quickly and easily as possible and get back on the road again without delay – that’s what drivers want, regardless of whether the fuel is petrol, diesel, gas or electricity. When it comes to test runs with electric Audi models – from the first generation of the Audi e-tron to the Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> today – one thing is true: “We want to make sure our models are compatible with the local fast-charging terminals, no matter which market we are selling into – from China and South Korea to Europe and South Africa, all the way to the USA. The challenges in this respect are the different plug and charging standards," explains Christian Brem. "We were really just starting out in 2016 and had to first develop procedures for how to test the charging process: with outside temperatures of plus 50 degrees Celsius and minus 30 degrees Celsius, with interruptions and deliberately simulated errors, with different charge states – from a discharged to a fully charged battery. Our tests were, and still are, really exhaustive, because we know how irritating customers would find it if they couldn’t charge their vehicle. You might forgive your smartphone for being too hot to charge, but not your car."
"Compared with its predecessor, the new Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> demonstrates especially clearly just how far we have come with the topic of charging," explains Aurel Vietoris. The emphasis here is on smart charging functions and smart battery management. Vietoris: "We made adjustments, for example, to increase the usable battery capacity for customers, which can produce a greater range." Premium comfort is also provided by the charging timer, for instance, by allowing customers to set the precise time of departure. "This is done directly in the vehicle or conveniently via the myAudi app,” explains Aurel Vietoris. “The automatic charging process therefore charges the battery to a preset level as close as possible to the departure time. In addition, preconditioning adjusts the temperature of the vehicle interior to the desired level prior to departure."
– Christian Brem, test driver, AUDI AG
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-tron*<br> and Audi Q5 e-tron*<br> 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 platforms*<br> with models from the Group brands Porsche, Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda. This philosophy will also continue to be pursued in drive platforms*<br> 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.
More details
In an effort to scale up electric mobility profitably, Audi is drawing on synergies across the Group and adopting multi-brand drive platforms – from the compact to the luxury class. These are the five platforms Audi has committed to:
MLB evo
To ensure a quick market introduction of the Audi e-tron in 2018, Audi opted for the modular longitudinal matrix – MLB evo for short. Designed for vehicles with combustion engine, the platform was adapted comprehensively to the requirements of an electric car. The new Audi Q8 e-tron is also based on the MLB evo.
MEB
Step inside the electric world of Audi! The Audi Q4 e-tron*<sup><br></sup> and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron*<br>*<br> are based on the modular electric drive matrix, or MEB for short. The platform is versatile in design and scalable to a large degree. The possible derivatives of the architecture, for which Volkswagen was responsible, extend from the SUV and crossover models to sedans.
J1
Launched in February 2021, the Audi e-tron GT quattro uses the J1 performance platform developed by Porsche as its technical basis. Intensive collaboration enables Audi to distinguish itself with brand-specific features: the Four Rings is forging its own path in terms of design, trim, driving dynamics, operating concept, technology and vehicle character.
PPE
The Premium Platform Electric (PPE) is a modular platform system for models from the compact midsize to the luxury full-size class, which was designed for battery electric drive. The platform enables ideal proportions for a spacious interior. The vehicle occupants of future PPE models will benefit from the long wheelbase in particular – considerable interior length and therefore legroom in both seat rows is one of the key advantages. The PPE harmonizes the technical substructure and is also extremely flexible. It is characterized by a high-tech architecture that allows both low-floor and high-floor vehicles to be realized. With the models from the Audi Q6 e-tron20 family that are to be produced in Ingolstadt from 2023, a new important electric model from the brand with the Four Rings is to be based for the first time on the modular system being developed under the aegis of Audi together with Porsche AG.
SSP
From 2026, the Volkswagen Group will gradually bundle its future technologies on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). After the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) and the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), SSP represents the next generation of an all-electric, fully digital and highly scalable mechatronics platform. Models from all brands and segments can be built on the SSP in the future – more than 40 million Group vehicles in the next few years
Audi Q4 e-tron: Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 19.5–16.2CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron:Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 18.9–15.6CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A
Audi e-tron GT quattro:Power consumption (combined) in kWh/100 km: 21.6–19.6CO₂ emissions (combined) in g/km: 0CO₂ emission class: A
Satisfied with the successes of the e-tron models: Christiane Zorn, Head of Product Marketing at AUDI AG.
Satisfied with the successes of the e-tron models: Christiane Zorn, Head of Product Marketing at AUDI AG.
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-tron*<br>, 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 km*<br>. The maximum DC charging capacity has increased to 170 kW, which means that the battery in the Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> can be charged* from 10 percent to up to 80 percent in just 31 minutes.
The electric drive system of the Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> combines the extremely varied demands that drivers make of a full-size SUV in a complete package with high performance.
One thing is certain: if the issue of charging is not dealt with properly, the transformation to electric mobility will also not succeed. There is no time to lose therefore when it comes to expanding the charging infrastructure. Governments all over the world are deciding to invest billions in public charging networks, with news about new fast-charging parks practically every day. Take the EU, for example, where the number of publicly accessible charging stations grew by 580 percent between 2015 and 2021. In fall 2022, the federal government in Germany stated that its goal was to roll out one million publicly accessible charging points by 2030. Current situation? According to the German Federal Network Agency, there were over 63,500 charging points in Germany in December 2022, including over 12,500 fast-charging terminals. The expansion of the charging infrastructure is an important basis for the electric initiative of the Four Rings. In the next five years, Audi will expand its portfolio of electric vehicles: from 2026, the brand will newly launch e-models only on the global market. By 2027, the company wants to offer an all-electric vehicle in all core segments. Then, according to current product planning, Audi will have more than 20 e-models in its range.
Experts for the charging infrastructure: Jens van Eikels, Head of the Charging Project House (left), and Ralph Hollmig, Head of the Premium Charging department.
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 charging*<br> 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 & Charge*<br> is one such feature that guarantees this in selected models such as the Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> 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.
Bidirectional charging involves integrating the electric car into the domestic power grid. The high-voltage battery of the electric car is not only charged via the wall box at home but can also supply energy back to the house as a decentralized storage medium. If home owners have a photovoltaic system, the electric car serves as a temporary storage medium for the domestically generated eco-electricity. When the sun is no longer shining, the vehicle can supply the stored electricity back to the house. Bidirectional charging at home – also known as vehicle-to-home (V2H) – has great potential to reduce the home owner’s electricity costs and increase network stability.
Progressive performance and long ranges thanks to excellent energy efficiency in vehicles such as the Audi Q8 e-tron*<br> or Audi e-tron GT quattro*<br> on the one hand – a charging experience fitting of Audi’s premium credentials on the other: experts from development and sales have succeeded in accelerating their own transformation to electric mobility with tailor-made solutions for customers. “We had a very steep learning curve,” says developer Aurel Vietoris reflecting on the early days. “Thanks to the experiences gained along the way we can now offer a truly premium experience – both in terms of driving and charging.”
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