Audi has announced its intention to “transform” itself into an EV mobility market provider with the launch of its Audi e-tron Charging Service.

The e-tron Charging Service will provide Europe-wide access to the public charging infrastructure via Audi’s proprietary charging card, which brings together over 72,000 charging points operated by 220 providers, for unlimited electric mobility.

Due to the e-tron’s range of more than 248.5mi drivers can typically travel on an overnight charge, but the new service offers a “smart solution” for longer distances.

Audi claims that its owners have access to around 80% of all public charging stations in Europe.

Audi’s head of product marketing, Fermin Soneira, said:  “With the e-tron Charging Service, we are actually offering a premium charging service ahead of the Audi e-tron’s market introduction.

"The product is tailored to the needs of our customers. We will be steadily expanding the service hand in hand with our strong partner Digital Charging Solutions.”

The e-tron Charging Service Card, is all customers need to start the charging process. Many charging stations can also be activated by scanning a QR code with a smartphone.

Customers complete a one-time registration for the service in the myAudi portal and take out an individual charging contract.

All charging processes are automatically billed together at the end of the month.

Customers can use the myAudi portal to view their current charging history at any time, review their current bills and manage their contract.

Longer journeys can be planned ahead of time in the myAudi app or directly in the car.

The navigation system considers the battery’s charge and the traffic, while including the required charging time in its arrival time calculation.

From 2019 onward, Audi will introduce its 'plug & charge' function, enabling the Audi e-tron to authenticate itself at charging stations via state-of-the-art cryptographic procedures, after which it is authorised – a card will no longer be necessary.

All Audi e-tron models rolling off the assembly line from mid-2019 will support this function as standard.