A Plug In Hybrid Vehicle Guide
Designed with the traditional comfort of an Audi vehicle but with the added “green” bonus, the Audi A3 etron features a 75kW electric motor alongside a 1.4-litre petrol engine and a six-speed auto gearbox. Providing a good first step for those new to electric vehicles, it has an electric running range of around 30 miles – enough for a commute or single journey of convenience, with the petrol engine kicking in when the electric charge runs out.
This final point is what makes hybrid vehicles so popular with those new to electric driving: being able to rely on the back up of a petrol engine should the charge be used up faster than anticipated.
The Fine Points - Audi A3 E-tron Charging
Where?
As the Audi A3 etron is a hybrid, charging the electric battery to its full range of around 30 miles can easily be done at work, home or in public, using a standard 7kW plug. We find that hybrid vehicle owners often do not choose to install a home charger for their vehicle as they can charge it in public or at work, or simply rely on the petrol tank until they can find a charger, though it is both safer and more convenient to install a charge point at home – and avoid trailing cables and wires around the home leading to the car outside.
How long?
Due to the hybrid nature, taking the car to full charge at home takes just 3 hours when using a standard 7kW plug – or 4 hours if you use a 3-pin socket.
The total driving range on a full battery sits at around 30 miles, though the manufacturer recommends you plan a charge break for every 20 miles of driving to ensure enough battery life. Alternatively, the car will switch to petrol until the next charge point.
How much?
The typical cost to charge your Audi A3 etron from empty to full, is around £1.11, averaging out to a fairly high cost of 5.50p per mile of driving.
How much does it cost?
The Audi A3 etron is eligible for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant to assist in the installation of the home charge point, providing £350 towards the overall cost. Owners of the Zoe will also benefit from one year of £0 road tax and £0 London congestion charge.
The fixed cost of the Audi A3 etron hybrid vehicle starts at around £36,465.
