Experiencing a distance of 600 miles in a 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron electric vehicle, I found that cruising beyond 75 MPH highway speeds necessitated more charging breaks, though still manageable with three stops.
In a remarkable demonstration of electric vehicle (EV) capability, an Audi Q6 e-tron owner recently embarked on a 600-mile road trip from Virginia to Norfolk, USA, achieving the journey in just one day with strategic charging stops.
With meticulous planning using A Better Route Planner (ABRP) and prioritizing Electrify America chargers, the Q6 e-tron successfully completed the journey with just three charging stops. The driver, starting from 100% battery, covered the first leg of 227 miles, reducing the battery to 11%, before using high-speed charging stations for a roughly 30-minute top-up to 95%. This allowed comfortable breaks like restroom stops and coffee without added delay. No waiting was experienced at any charger, as the car was alone at each of the three Electrify America stops.
Key performance details include:
- Actual range was slightly less than predicted (drove from 100% to 11% battery in 227 miles versus predicted 13%) due to highway speeds often exceeding 75 mph, which significantly reduce range.
- Charging speed was adequate for quick recharges (~30 minutes to reach 95%).
- The ABRP route planner adapted in real time, with slight changes in recommended routes between planning and driving.
- Overall, the trip demonstrated that with careful route and charging planning, the Q6 e-tron’s 100 kWh battery and fast-charging capability enable efficient long-distance travel with minimal downtime.
This real-world use case aligns with the Q6 e-tron's WLTP combined electric range of approximately 361 miles but highlights that high speeds reduce efficiency, necessitating well-placed fast charges typical of Electrify America’s network.
The Q6 e-tron, Audi's first production vehicle on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), jointly developed with Porsche, introduces a sweeping "Digital Stage" interior layout. This includes a curved 11.9'' driver display, a 14.5'' central screen, and an optional 10.9'' passenger display with privacy mode.
The cross-country journey also showcased the Q6 e-tron's quiet hum of electric propulsion, a refreshing change from the traditional soundtrack of an eight-cylinder engine. The Q6 e-tron rides and sounds like luxury defined by restraint, subtle cabin quietness, and smoothness.
European safety tests awarded the Q6 e-tron a full five-star rating. The vehicle also features second-generation OLED lighting capable of projecting active signals. The Sportback variant of the Q6 e-tron trims 38 mm off height, lowers drag coefficient to around 0.26, and boosts range.
The Audi Q6 e-tron proved to be a long-legged, comfortable, and capable traveling companion on this demanding 600-mile day trip. The owner's strategic use of ABRP, Electrify America, and Audi's "Leave At" feature ensured a seamless journey, combining range, charging speed, and user convenience effectively.
- The strategic use of ABRP, Electrify America, and Audi's "Leave At" feature, as demonstrated during the 600-mile road trip, illustrates the seamless integration of technology in the Q6 e-tron's lifestyle, enhancing its electric-vehicle capabilities for efficient long-distance travel.
- On the 600-mile road trip, the owner of the Audi Q6 e-tron highlighted the vehicle's quiet electric propulsion and advanced technology features, such as the digital interior layout and OLED lighting, as refreshing changes that align with a modern, technology-driven lifestyle.
