Audi e-tron GT vs Porsche Taycan 4S: range, charging and fuel economy
Both models offer decent driving range on a charge, but the Taycan seems to handle changes in driving style and weather conditions better than the Audi
Cruising on the motorway, we managed to see efficiency of roughly 2.4 miles per kWh from the Audi, which would work out at just over 200 miles' range in total based on its useable battery capacity. The car’s 298-mile official figure is probably more realistic in predominantly urban and suburban driving; the best remaining range figure we saw displayed during our time with it was 251 miles on an indicated 99% charge.
The Taycan claims a circa-250-mile range in 4S form with the standard 79kWh battery. You can pay extra for the larger 'Performance Battery Plus' 93kWh unit (fitted to our test car), which increases the figure to around 280 miles. In real-world driving however, we’ve found that closer to 230 miles is the best you can hope for.
Charging
Both the Audi and Porsche run an 800-volt electrical system. This means they can charge significantly faster than most mass-market electric cars – although you do need a correspondingly fast public rapid charger to take full advantage of that capability. If you can find one, then you can get them from 10% to 80% battery capacity in only around 20 minutes.
Home charging can be a challenge with batteries this big – particularly if, like most UK households, you only have single-phase domestic electricity. That limits you to a 7.4kW home wallbox, which will take a not-insignificant 13 hours to top up both the Taycan and e-tron GT fully. If you do have three-phase power at home, you could be able to charge at up to 22kW, which brings the 100% top-up time down to under five hours.
