Audi Develops New Home Charging System

Audi has teamed up with SMA Solar Technology Group and the Hager Group to develop a customized home charging system for the Audi quattro e-tron which has been optimized for solar energy. The new system would connect the customer’s e-tron with his home energy systems for cost-optimized charging, which can include the use of sustainable photovoltaic power if needed.

Convenience at home
Audi offers a wide range of charging options. When it comes to home charging options, the standard compact charging system allows charging with an output of up to 11kW, while this can be doubled to 22kW by using the optional connect charging system which involves the use of a second, optional charger. The connect charging system can connect to the infrastructure through the home Wi-Fi and, can facilitate intelligent charging in tandem with a home energy management system (HEMS).

Commenting on the new system, Fermin Soneira, Head of Product Marketing at Audi, said that Audi’s goal is to provide added value to the customer by delivering an electric car that can fit seamlessly into the intelligently connected home. This is why Audi teamed up with two leading companies which specialize in home energy management systems, the Hager Group and SMA Solar Technology for maximum charging convenience.

Cost and CO2-optimized charging

Using the connect charging system and an appropriate HEMS, the customer can leverage variable electricity tariffs to charge the Audi e-tron in the most cost-efficient manner. This system can opt to charge the battery when electric tariffs are lower while also taking into account individual mobility requirements, like departure time and charge level.

The connect charging system can obtain the required rate information either from the HEMS or from information the customer keys into the myAudi portal. If the home is equipped with a solar system, the customer can optimize the charging process to prefer the electricity generated by the photvoltaic system for charging the Audi e-tron. The electric SUV even takes into account the forecast phases of sunshine and the current flow of electricity at the home’s connection point to the public grid.

Blackout protection
Customers also benefit from protection in the event of a blackout as the intelligent charging function ensures that vehicles are charged with the maximum available capacity that the home electrical system and the car allow. It also takes into account the power requirements of other consumers so that there is no chance of overloading the home electrical system and thus tripping the master breaker.

The customer can use the myAudi portal and myAudi app to keep tabs on the individual charging statistics and charging progress. These two tools can be used to get details regarding the amount of electricity charged, charging times and even the corresponding costs. All this data is stored on a secured server, and the portal offers both analysis and export functions.

The e-tron marks a new era for Audi as it would transform the company from a conventional automobile manufacturer into a mobility system supplier. Customers can now enjoy electric driving in the manner that is most convenient for them thanks to the wide range of charging options with intelligent solutions both at home and while on the move.