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“I'm addicted to silence”
With his pictures, photographer Tom Klocker delights hundreds of thousands of people on social media. His focus is always on mountains. In this part of the Audi e-tron stories, he tells us about the advantages of driving a car silently through nature.
Only consumption and emission values according to WLTP and not according to NEDC are available for the vehicle.
In the "Audi e-tron stories," drivers explain what excites them about electromobility. This part is about photographer Tom Klocker and the Audi Q4 e-tron.
In the "Audi e-tron stories," drivers explain what excites them about electromobility. This part is about photographer Tom Klocker and the Audi Q4 e-tron.
For Tom Klocker, the mountains have always been his home. When the day is just dawning and most people are still in bed, the photographer is already at the mountain top - always on the hunt for the most spectacular sunrises. "I'm addicted to the silence of nature," says the former professional snowboarder. So, it fits perfectly that he can drive quietly on the road himself in his Audi Q4 e-tron. "I didn't know it that way. I'm time and time again surprised how differently I perceive the surroundings in this changed soundscape." While being in the mountains early in the morning or in the evening, Klocker often opens the windows, always fascinated to hear not a loud engine noise but the crunching of the stones or the cowbells and birds. According to him, the best part is making almost no noise himself to disturb the animals. "With the electric car, I'm sure I'm not disturbing anyone," says the Tyrolean, who travels often and extensively in his car.
"In general, I sometimes wish the Audi Q4 e-tron offered even more range," says Klocker, but he knows how to help himself. In his garage at home, he has created what he calls a "charging solution" so that the start in the morning is achieved with a full battery. And, when Klocker drives up the mountains, he obviously has to drive down again, and it is above all here that he makes use of an advantageous feature of electromobility: "I regain quite a bit of range while driving," says the photographer, referring to recuperation, i.e. the conversion - for example when braking - of kinetic energy into electrical energy. "In the mountains, recuperation is therefore a huge advantage for me," says Klocker.
After he has captured the mountain landscape with his camera, even in the evening, in a gloomy but unique atmosphere, he goes home again - and is already mentally planning the next mountain tour.
In the mornings it's still dark when Tom Klocker takes his charged Audi Q4 e-tron out of his garage to head for the mountains.
In the mornings it's still dark when Tom Klocker takes his charged Audi Q4 e-tron out of his garage to head for the mountains.
When the photographer drives up and down the hills, the electric motor of the Audi Q4 e-tron becomes a generator that puts range back into the car.
The display in the Audi virtual cockpit helps Klocker to track the recuperation process and he is always happy about the extra range he gains.
When the photographer drives up and down the hills, the electric motor of the Audi Q4 e-tron becomes a generator that puts range back into the car.
The display in the Audi virtual cockpit helps Klocker to track the recuperation process and he is always happy about the extra range he gains.
"I don't schedule any charging stops"
Until 2015 Tom Klocker was a professional snowboarder, competed in various competitions worldwide and was one of the elites in the scene. He then turned his passion into his profession with photography.
Three questions for Tom Klocker on electromobility
01. Why did you opt for electromobility?
First and foremost, I was simply curious. Since I also photograph a lot of cars in my job and electromobility is becoming more and more popular, I just wanted to try out for myself how it feels to drive with an electric motor and whether I'm even the right type of driver for it. And I have to say that so far, I'm very satisfied.
02. What do you like most about the Audi Q4 e-tron visually?
Personally, it was very important to me that it appeals to me visually. After all, I am on the road with the car almost every day. I like the darkened windows and the black Audi rings, trim, and rims on my white Audi Q4 e-tron. I think it all fits together well.
03. What role does route/time planning play for you?
Before I hit the road, I take a quick look at my route. But I don't plan any charging stops. Since I've already driven several thousand kilometers with the Audi Q4 e-tron, I know how far I'll get. And there are now public charging stations almost everywhere on highways. I'm not worried about it.
Tom Klocker grew up in the Ziller Valley, Tyrol, and spends a lot of time in the mountains, where he not only takes photos, but also climbs and rides his road bike.
Tom Klocker grew up in the Ziller Valley, Tyrol, and spends a lot of time in the mountains, where he not only takes photos, but also climbs and rides his road bike.
Tom Klocker often drives with the windows open in his Audi Q4 e-tron to listen to the sounds of nature.
Tom Klocker often drives with the windows open in his Audi Q4 e-tron to listen to the sounds of nature.
“I'm always surprised at how differently I perceive the environment”
Tom Klocker
After about ten years as a professional snowboarder, Klocker hung up his career following an accident.
The mountains are and will always remain his home. There, the photographer is always on the lookout for new adventures.
After about ten years as a professional snowboarder, Klocker hung up his career following an accident.
The mountains are and will always remain his home. There, the photographer is always on the lookout for new adventures.
