Could Audi’s Hub be the Future of EV Charging?

What is the main problem for EV owners? Charging, right?

As the uptake up electric vehicles gathers momentum, changes have started appearing in the form of a myriad of charging options. These range from kerbside low-rate, to specialised Ultra-Fast stations giving those vehicles capable of using the fast outlets, an 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes.

Australia languishes far behind many other countries, but something interesting is happening in Europe.

New Audi charging hubs can serve urban drivers not able to charge at home. Following the success of the Nuremberg site, second compact Audi charging hub pilot site will open in downtown Zurich. More sites will follow in Salzburg and Berlin. More sites will appear in Germany between now and mid-2024.

From January the end of April 2022, Audi saw around 3,100 charges at its Nuremberg pilot site. The first phase is a world-first with a quick-charging station that has six reservable high-power charging points, an average of 24 charges at about 800 kWh per day.

The facility has a 200-square-meter lounge and a 40-square-meter terrace above the charging cubes having an average of 35 customers every day, and this is increasing slowly.

The chargers are reservable via an app, with the roofed Audi charging hub having a swivel-arm charger, lounge, and a concierge. “The numbers and positive customer feedback demonstrate that our concept of offering flexible, premium quick-charging infrastructure in urban spaces was spot on,” says Audi charging hub project manager Ralph Hollmig. Frequent use was also made of additional services such as the exchange station for micromobility batteries and a grocery delivery service.

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ABOVE: Audi Charging Hub, Nuremberg 

Self-sufficient, sustainable charging The cubes that serve store the electricity at the Nuremberg site will also feature all Audi charging hub stations. The system sues flexible cube-shaped containers that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. This is where the true genius can be found. Power is stored in recycled (or second-life) lithium-ion batteries that had been used elsewhere, including dismantled test vehicles. This battery-storage solution assists quick-charging infrastructure where the electric grid is not enough, operating six HPC charging points with up to 320 kW.

Around 2.45 MWh of interim storage allows entire Nuremberg site to operate with only a 200 kW link to the low-voltage network to top up the storage modules. Up to six electric cars can charge at one time with using around one megawatt of power. The Audi charging hub has contracted to use only sustainably sourced electricity and is augmented by solar panels on the roof adding up to 30 kW of additional green energy.

Compact version for Zurich’s banking district Following the success and insights of the Nuremberg hub Audi is opening a smaller a four roofed charging points with two power cubes in Zurich in the second half of the year. The scalable nature of the hub means it can be accommodated in compact spaces. A reworked swivel arm allows barrier-free charging of all the cars with up to 320 kW of power. The height adjustable operating displays, and wheelchair-friendly clearance between cubes and cars allows good access for all users.

Two 55-inch screens display available services such as food and fitness offerings as well as shopping and e-bike sharing facilities in the vicinity.

Ongoing rollout for 2023 and mid-2024 with a focus on Germany Following the anticipated success of the Zurich site, Audi will roll out further charging hubs in the second half of 2022. Another 2 compact hubs will open in Berlin and Salzburg later this year, with 3 more in German cities to follow.

Although the focus remains trialling German sites, there is no reason to assume further expansion isn’t possible, even beyond the borders of Europe.

As we’ve said from the beginning, a co-ordinated effort listing all possible charging options from all suppliers will make life easier for drivers.