Anyone looking at an Audi e-tron with charging flaps on both sides of the vehicle might assume that the two ports are identical. However, that is not always the case. On the original Audi e-tron in particular, as well as the later Q8 e-tron, there are significant differences between the driver and passenger sides.
A Type 2 port charges with alternating current. Only a port with the additional lower contacts supports CCS fast charging with direct current.
Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron: The driver side has the main port
On the Audi e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback, which were later continued as the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron, the main charging port is located in the front fender on the driver side. It is a CCS port.
The upper section is the European Type 2 connector and is used for AC charging, such as at a home charger or public standard-speed charging station. The two large contacts below are required for direct current. This means the vehicle can also charge at a CCS fast-charging station on this side.
| Side of vehicle | Port | Supported charging | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver side | CCS with Type 2 section | AC and DC | Home charger, AC charging station, fast-charging station |
| Passenger side | Type 2, if fitted | AC only | Home charger and AC charging station |
What does the port on the passenger side support?
Suitably equipped vehicles have a second charging port in the front fender on the passenger side. This is primarily intended to provide greater flexibility when AC charging. Depending on the parking space, garage, or position of the home charger, the charging cable can therefore be connected on the more convenient side.
This second port normally has only the Type 2 section. The additional direct-current contacts of the CCS port are absent. Passenger-side port fitted → convenient AC charging is possible, but not DC fast charging.
It is also important to note that the second port was not fitted as standard to every Audi e-tron. Its availability depends on the model year, market, and equipment. When buying a used vehicle, you should therefore inspect the vehicle itself to confirm which charging ports are actually installed.
How to identify the AC and DC ports
The ports can be distinguished without consulting the equipment list:
- Type 2: a compact, rounded port without two large additional contacts below it
- CCS: a Type 2 section at the top and two noticeably larger direct-current contacts at the bottom
- Cover: On some CCS ports, an additional cap protects the lower DC section
A CCS plug fits only into the complete CCS port. It therefore cannot be connected to a Type 2-only port on the passenger side. A Type 2 cable, however, can be used with the combined CCS port because its upper section is designed as a Type 2 port.
Other e-tron models have a different layout
The e-tron name now refers not just to a single vehicle but to several Audi model ranges. The Q8 e-tron layout therefore should not automatically be assumed to apply to the Q4 e-tron, e-tron GT, or newer models.
The Audi e-tron GT also has charging flaps on both front fenders. Here, however, the CCS-capable port is on the passenger side, while the port on the opposite side is intended for AC charging. The Q4 e-tron, by contrast, has only one charging port in the rear side section. The position may differ again on other model ranges.
| Model family | AC charging | DC fast charging |
|---|---|---|
| e-tron SUV / Q8 e-tron | Driver side, with an optional additional port on the passenger side | Driver side |
| e-tron GT | On both sides, depending on the port | Passenger side |
| Q4 e-tron | One combined port at the rear | At the same CCS port |
Because Audi may change equipment and technical details between model years, the owner's manual and the visible shape of the port are the most reliable sources for a specific vehicle.
Which side is most practical in everyday use?
For home charging, any available Type 2 port can be used on the e-tron and Q8 e-tron. A second AC port is particularly useful if the vehicle is alternately parked nose-in or backed into the space. At a fast-charging station, however, you need to position the vehicle so that the side with the CCS port is next to the charger.
Especially with short or heavy fast-charging cables, parking in the correct position avoids unnecessary maneuvering. A quick look for the additional lower contacts clearly shows which side supports DC charging.
