Audi E-Tron GT Buyers Will Get Three Years of Free DC Fast Charging
Buying a new electric car often comes with caveats. You worry about charging, range, cost, and convenience. But with the Audi E-Tron GT, some of those worries get eased.
Buyers get three years of free DC fast charging. Yes — that means no extra charging cost (for three years) at participating fast-charging stations.
In this blog, we explain clearly what that offer means. We cover how fast charging works, how much time it saves, what home charging options exist, and why this perk makes E-Tron GT ownership easier than many EVs.
What Is the Free Charging Offer?
Audi announced that owners of the 2022 Audi E-Tron GT (and the performance RS variant) will receive three years of free DC fast charging via the public charging network run by Electrify America.
That means when you drive your E-Tron GT to a compatible public charger in the Electrify America network, you won’t have to pay for the electricity — at least for the first three years after purchase.
Audi also offers “white-glove” support for charging at home. Through a concierge service with Qmerit, you can get a 240-volt outlet or a home charging station installed.
So as an owner, you get two good options: fast public charging (free for 3 years), or slower home charging — depending on your needs.
How Fast Is the E-Tron GT When Charging?
The E-Tron GT is built to take advantage of powerful DC chargers. It supports charging at up to 270 kilowatts (kW).
Under good conditions at a suitable charger, you can go from about 5% to 80% battery in roughly 22 minutes. That gives around 180 miles (or ~290 km) of range.
That speed is great for long trips, sudden plans, or when you don’t have time for overnight charging. It makes the E-Tron GT far more practical than many older EVs with slow charging.
But note: not all public fast-charging stations can deliver 270 kW. Many deliver less. So actual charging speed depends on the station’s capability.
Why Free Charging Matters for Buyers?
Getting three years of free fast charging is a big deal. Here’s why:
- Cost savings
Electricity at public fast-charging stations can add up over time. With free charging, your long drives or frequent trips don’t cost extra.
- Less range anxiety
You can drive long distances without worrying about where to charge or how much it will cost. You just plug in.
- Convenience
Fast chargers make topping up quick — often quicker than stopping for fuel at a gas station (especially if you had to wait or queue).
- Flexibility
You’re not stuck with slow home-only charging. You can mix home charging for daily use with public fast charging for trips or emergencies.
- Good resale value
Even if you sell the car within three years, having free charging as part of the deal adds appeal for the next buyer (depending on terms and transfer rules).
Home Charging Option: A Useful Backup?
Public DC fast charging is great — but for many daily routines, home charging remains important. Audi partners with Qmerit to give E-Tron GT buyers a home-charging solution.
You don't have to buy a Porsche Taycan to get years of free charging. Audi has revealed that 2022 E-Tron GT buyers will get three years of free DC fast charging (through VW\'s Electrify America, of course) like their Taycan-owning counterparts.
If you can find the right stations, you can charge your electric sports sedan from 5 percent to 80 percent in 22 minutes at no cost. You might not pay a thing for a state-to-state trip or an extended backroad jaunt, in other words.
This could be important when the E-Tron GT's estimated range tops out at 238 miles. You might be more likely to buy the EV if the price of an extended journey is a non-issue There's also a clear competitive motivation - Tesla has occasionally revived free Supercharging as an incentive to buy its cars, and Audi might lose business if it insists on paid battery top-ups.
The challenge, as before, is coverage. Electrify America expects to have 800 U.S. stations by the end of 2021, but Tesla already had over 908 Supercharger stations in the country as of March 2020. Free charging might not matter much if there aren't enough stations along your planned routes. Audi's freebie might only reach its full potential once coverage is truly ubiquitous.
