Kjain07

Hi all - new etron owner here. Wondering what are the benefits of getting a charging station (chargepoint etc) vs just installing a 240V outlet and using the provided Audi cable for home use? A decent station is $500+ so wondering what I’m missing there? Thanks!

lkfoster

Some of the better ones like Chargepoint allow time of day charging to save on electric rates.

I've also noticed that my Chargepoint Flex cable and connector set at 40 amps runs significantly cooler that the Audi charger running at the same ~9 kW rate.

I also like the peace of mind in having the Audi charger with me as a plan B when I can't find a normal charging station.

newmanium

Also charging station has a bit longer cord, plus you can store the cord on the station when not in use.

Its all about convenience, there’s no reason you can’t use the included Audi charger and a wall outlet.

If you do it, make sure to get the high end Hubbell outlet 9450A (I think), it alone costs like $90, but there have been multiple reports on here of cheap outlets wearing/shorting out. An EV sucks a lot of energy, lots of thermal expansions.

weth

1) keep Audi charger in frunk for travel and back up Would hate to need it only to remember it is in the garage at home.
2) smart chargers allow time of day programming to take advantage of best electric rates (in my area, super off peak is 5.5x cheaper than peak.
3) smart charger allows to track electric expenses specific to ev
4) chargepoint charges car faster by about 15%
5) there is a 30% tax credit this year for getting a chargepoint or other charger and any required electrician work.

BW5

I've been researching this topic lately myself. At first I figured I'd probably just use the included portable and get a nema 14-50 outlet put in.
The more I thought about it though I like the idea of just leaving the portable stowed so I take it with me. Honestly in my local driving thse last couple weeks I've just left it in the garage and since I'm only commuting short distances there really is no reason to have it with me. Still, the wall mount is just "cleaner" to deal with.

Now to go smart or not.... I get now break from my power company....and don't really care about tracking usage so much...so I'm seeing little advantage for me to go "smart" with it. The smart ones might be better in the future if things change. The only thing that appeals to me at the moment is that some allow you in the app to change the charge rate...intention si so you can dial it back if you have a lower amp rated circuit...but seems to me better to dial it back just to keep things cooler and the overall load in the panel lower when I don't need the higher rate....so while I might be capable of charging at 40A, 48A, or 50A depending on which one I get I might just set it to charge at a slower 30A or something for routine use....but I'm not thinking that little benefit is worth the extra money to go "smart"

Bill33525

May want to look through this thread: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...s-one-3004184/

oh0150

My advice is get 240v outlet installed and use the Audi supplied unit. If it works for you, stick with it and save $. Me? I have a Juice Box that I bought on sale from Costco 18 mos ago. It failed after a yr but it was promptly replaced. It has a 3 yr guarantee. I love the convenience of having a wall mounted unit with a place to hang the cord. I have the 2nd generation unit that has been superseded by a 3rd gen model.

glc888

Just installed (2) 14-50 outlets this weekend. One inside garage and one outside. Why?,.... well I've wanted a Clarity for 2 years and now that I moved to back to the suburbs so the wife can work from the house/office I am forced to drive 100 miles a day for the 3 days I go into the office, the 47 mile range on electric sure looks nice. The inside one is for the Q5e.

WildBTK

Did you put them on separate circuits or the same? I am assuming separate. Funny as it were, I, too, was also doing some electrical work this weekend. I pulled some #4 NM wire into a new junction box from my main panel in preparation for hardwiring my ChargePoint Flex. Right now my 14-50 receptacle that it is currently plugged into is hung off of sub-panel that is shared with the rest of the garage. Since I do woodworking, it is quite possible for me to overload that subpanel (60 amp) when running my table saw, dust collector, air compressor, shop lighting and also charging my eTron all at the same time. So, this new dedicated circuit to the main panel will remove the vehicle charging load from the subpanel and also allow me to bump up the AC charging rate to the maximum that the eTron allows (11kw), which is why I ran #4 (70A circuit).

glc888

Put them each on separate 240V/50A circuits.