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A520ePHEVvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs520e · A3

BMW 520e G30 vs Audi A3 Sedan

Trip mapped at a glance. Charging stops visible, total duration predictable. Caralogy simulation at 130 km/h.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2026 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
BMWPHEV

520e G30

204 ch · 11.2 kWh · 2021

VS
AudiPetrolPlus rapide

A3 Sedan

150 ch · 2026

Simulation trip
Assumptions: 130 km/h · start réservoir plein · mild weather

Result · total trip time

ABMW 520e G30

7h06charging included

1 stop · 158.49 €

Gap5 minin favour of A3 Sedan
BAudi A3 Sedan

7h01no stop

0 stops · 90.81 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
Measure520e G30A3 SedanGap
Total time7h067h015 min · A3 Sedan
Charging stops1 stop0 stops1 stop · A3 Sedan
Cost of energy used158.49 €90.81 €67.68 € · A3 Sedan

Visualise the trip

Both vehicles drive at 130 km/h. The difference comes from charging stops.

BMWPHEV
520e G30
100%
Battery
100%
Fuel tank
468 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Refuel 1
5 min · +41 L · 89.84 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h06
1
Stops
7h06
Duration
158.49 €
Cost of energy used
AudiPetrolFastest
A3 Sedan
100%
926 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h01
0
Stops
7h01
Duration
90.81 €
Cost of energy used

The 5-minute lead of the A3 Sedan (combustion) comes from not needing a charging stop: no stop versus 1 stop of 5 min for the 520e G30 (plug-in hybrid).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The A3 Sedan (combustion) makes no stop, the 520e G30 (plug-in hybrid) 1 stop of 5 min. Road safety reminder: on a trip of this duration, it is recommended to stop for at least 51 min total (17 min every 2h). The energy cost is 158,49 € for 520e G30 versus 90,81 € for A3 Sedan.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (21,5 kWh/100km for 520e G30 and 6,0 L/100km for A3 Sedan) are measured on a mixed cycle averaging ~46 km/h. At a steady 130 km/h, aerodynamic drag weighs much more heavily - it grows with the square of speed. Caralogy calculates a motorway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve - not a uniform correction factor. For this trip, the simulation yields 10,0 L/100km (520e G30) and 5,4 L/100km (A3 Sedan). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

What about a 200 km round trip?

On a 200 km round trip (e.g. a weekend getaway), the electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle completes the entire journey on home energy at 0.20 €/kWh - with no charging stop. The time advantage of the combustion car on long-distance motorways disappears entirely, and the economic advantage of electric strengthens considerably.

Energy cost breakdown for your trip Paris → Marseille

The cost per kilometre depends on the electricity rate applied to each segment - based on the energy source used at that point of the trip.

BMW 520e G30

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh52 km11 kWh consumed0.043 €/km2.24 €
Paris → Limonest, A6fuel · 2.17 €/L416 km41 L consumed0.216 €/km89.84 €
Limonest, A6 → Marseillefuel · 2.17 €/L307 km31 L consumed0.216 €/km66.41 €
Trip total158.49 €

Audi A3 Sedan

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Marseillefuel · 2.17 €/L775 km42 L consumed0.117 €/km90.81 €
Trip total90.81 €

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
21.5 kWh/100 km · 6.0 L/100 km
Fuel tank
46 L · 50 L

Compare with another vehicle

Replace one of the two with an alternative from the same segment

BMWPHEV

520e G30

204 ch · 11.2 kWh · 2021

AudiPetrol

A3 Sedan

150 ch · 2026

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Frequently asked questions

On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the A3 Sedan arrives in 7h01 with 0 fuel stops.

WLTP consumption does not reflect motorway reality. Aerodynamic drag grows with the square of speed, so real consumption is 15 to 25 % higher than WLTP combined. Caralogy calculates a highway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve.

Total time = driving time + charging time. Driving time is calculated at an average speed of 130 km/h on the motorway (adjustable). Charging time is calculated based on the real power curve of each vehicle, respecting the optimal 10 → 80 % range and the maximum power accepted by the chargers on the route.

No. The displayed cost covers only the energy consumed during the trip: kWh × energy rate, with a mix of home charging and DC fast chargers. Battery wear is a long-term ownership cost, not a trip cost.

On this trip, the energy used costs 158.49 € (520e G30) and 90.81 € (A3 Sedan). For reference, an equivalent BMW 530i (~8.0 L/100 km) would cost about 115 € in fuel.