Audi A6 TFSI e EV Charging Cable

The numbers that settle the cable question

The A6 50 TFSI e quattro carries 17.9 kWh, which German data describes as the gross figure with 14.4 usable while Audi UK calls the 17.9 usable. Whichever you take, Audi quotes a full charge from empty in about two and a half hours on a 7 kW wall box, and an electric range of around 40 miles.

Two and a half hours for 17.9 kWh is an average above 7 kW. That is not achievable on a 3.7 kW connection under any circumstances, which is what tells you this is a 32A car rather than one of the capped Audi plug-ins.

The one thing the sources argue about

One caveat we would rather give you than hide. German technical data classifies this 7.4 kW figure as needing two electrical phases, which taken literally would leave a British house on about 3.7 kW. Audi UK's own charge times say otherwise and are hard to argue with: two and a half hours from empty on a 17.9 kWh battery, quoted against a 7 kW wall box, is simply not achievable at 3.7 kW. We think the car reaches close to 7.4 kW on one phase and we would buy the 32A cable, but a dealer can confirm it against your registration if you want certainty rather than our reading.

How long a full charge takes

Hours come from dividing the pack by the power the car actually draws, with 13 per cent added for losses. Two columns because the two sources disagree about whether 17.9 kWh is the usable or the gross figure. The real answer sits between them, and both are shown rather than picking one.

No part of this car accepts DC, so rapid charging is off the table entirely. Charging happens through the Type 2 socket or it does not happen, and that makes the cable the one accessory the car genuinely cannot manage without. German data also gives 390 minutes from a household socket, which is over six hours and a reminder that the three pin lead is for occasional use rather than routine.

Which length for an A6 TFSI e

Rear port, with German market data placing it on the driver's side of a left hand drive car. Nobody publishes whether it mirrors for right hand drive, so the side is worth checking rather than assuming.

The A6 is 4.94 metres as a saloon and a little more as an Avant. At that length 5 metres only works if the flap and the charge point end up on the same side, and 10 metres is the answer for everything else. Park the car where it normally lives, walk the run with a tape, and buy the next size up from what you measure.

How these cables are built

Standards are IEC 62196-2 and CE, protection is IP55, and the specified working range runs -30C to +50C.

Three pin construction follows IEC 62752, CE marked, IP67 rated, usable from -30C to +60C. Two year warranty from the manufacturer, free next day delivery in the UK, 30 day returns.

Also from Audi: Audi Q4 e-tron EV Charging Cable. The full range of Audi charging cables is on one page. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

Audi A6 TFSI e charging cable questions

Which cable does an A6 TFSI e need?

A 32A Type 2 to Type 2 lead. Audi quotes two and a half hours from empty on a 7 kW wall box, which is only achievable above 7 kW average.

Is the battery 17.9 or 14.4 kWh?

Both figures are published. German technical data calls 17.9 the gross capacity with 14.4 usable, while Audi UK describes 17.9 as usable. We show the times for both rather than pick one.

Can an A6 TFSI e rapid charge?

No. There is no DC socket on any A6 TFSI e, so everything goes in through the Type 2 inlet.

How long from a three pin socket?

About six and a half hours, per Audi's own figure. Useful occasionally, not something to rely on every night.