Last modified: Mar 14, 2024

Why is my Audi Q4 e-tron showing a lower range than expected?

The most common questions are related to why Audi Q4 e-tron owners experience that the car shows a lower expected range than specified.

What is the specified range/consumption?

Audi does not give only one number on the range. The range varies a lot between the variants and depending on trim level.

It also depends on how the range is measured/calculated. In Europe, they use WLTP to calculate range and in the US they use EPA to calculate range. These numbers are typically different because the drive cycle in these two tests is not the same.

WLTP Range

The table below shows the range measured according to the WLTP standard. Notice how big the difference is between a minimum equipped Audi Q4 e-tron and a maximum equipped Audi Q4 e-tron.

VariantWLTP RangeConsumption kmConsumption miles
Audi Q4 e-tron 35 min trim341km/212 miles15.1/100km4.12miles/kWh
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 min trim521km/324 miles14.7/100km4.23miles/kWh
Audi Q4 e-tron 50 min trim488km/303 miles15.70/100km3.96miles/kWh
Audi Q4 e-tron 35 max trim306km/175 miles16.83/100km3.69miles/kWh
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 max trim447km/278 miles17.14/100km3.63miles/kWh
Audi Q4 e-tron 50 max trim412m/256 miles18.59/100km3.34 miles/kWh

EPA Range

VariantEPA RangeConsumption kmConsumption miles
Audi e-tron 50388km/241 miles19.74/100km3.15miles/kWh

In advertising the minimum trim level is often used when they report the range either in WLTP or EPA numbers.

Many consumers are not aware that adding more equipment like larger wheels reduces the rated range.

Real-world range examples

Owners typically react when their Audi Q4 e-tron estimated range is much lower than advertised by Audi. Below you see some examples of ranges posted by users in different social media groups.

Example on reported range

Example on reported range

Why does the car estimate this range?

The range indicator base its range on the following data

  • Average consumption on the last 100km/62 miles driven
  • The state of charge (of much is the battery charged)
  • The planned route in the navigation system

So assume you have an Audi Q4 e-tron 50 with 76.6kWh battery and you have charged it to 100% and your last trip was this

Triphistory

Triphistory

If we calculate the range based on the consumption on 27.6 kWh/100km we get

76.6/27.6 = 278km.

Same calculation based in miles 2.25mi/kWh

76.6*2.25 = 172 miles.

But this is the best guess based on previous trips. If you change behavior on the next trip, the range calculated would be wrong.

If you have done many short trips in cold weather, you would have spent lots of energy to heat up the car. But this average consumption is not relevant if you the next day are taking a long drive. The car would then underestimate the range.

If a route is defined in the car navigation system the car would adjust range based on elevation and road ahead.

The below table show the calculated range based on different average consumption for and Audi Q4 40/45/50 with 76.6kWh available battery.

consumption kWh/100consumption miles/kWhCalculated range kmCalculated range miles
154,1511317
15,54,0494307
163,9479298
16,53,8464289
173,7451280
17,53,6438272
183,5426264
18,53,4414257
193,3403251
19,53,2393244
203,1383238
20,53,0374232
213,0365227
21,52,9356221
222,8348216
22,52,8340212
232,7333207
23,52,6326203
242,6319198
24,52,5313194
252,5306190
25,52,4300187
262,4295183
26,52,3289180
272,3284176
27,52,3279173
282,2274170
28,52,2269167
292,1264164
29,52,1260161
302,1255159

The numbers do not match up, can it be something wrong?

If your average consumption on our last trip does not match up with the estimated range it might be a problem with your Audi Q4 e-tron.

The first you should try is to calculate the battery capacity so you are sure there is a problem. This would also make it easier for you to document this for your dealer.

Read this guide to calculate and verify your Audi Q4 e-tron battery status

If your conclusion is that the battery capacity is much lower of the specified capacity it might be problem with battery or BMS

Learn more about the range

Read our complete range guide Understanding range. See full specification on all variants of Audi Q4 e-tron.

Audi all-electric models

Click on link for direct access to the different model info for Audi all-electric models