Audi charging hubs: fast charging in urban areas

More electrifying news: Our Audi charging hub’s flexible, modular charging concept is flourishing. Our second charging hub opened its gates in Zurich at the beginning of November. It’s a compact version of the Nuremberg prototype that has been successfully operating since December 2021.

So, first Nuremberg, now Zurich – and Berlin, Salzburg and Munich will follow soon. We‘re on the road to improving urban charging infrastructures substantially. The concept blends technical perfection with maximum customer comfort. It offers attractive services while the cars are charging. Once more, we emphasize that customer centricity is at the core of all our considerations.

Loyal users: more than two-thirds of the customers use the charging hub regularly

The concept convinces: In Nuremberg, around 70 percent of the users regularly come to charge their electric cars. Audi customers increasingly use the app to reserve a charging spot. Audi registers an average of 24 charges at around 800 kWh a day in Nuremberg.

And many visitors enjoy the attractive additional services the charging hub offers: An average of 35 customers visit the approximately 200-square-meter lounge daily, which includes a 40-square-meter terrace above the charging cubes. They frequently take advantage of the lounge services too. Facilities like a changing station for micro-mobility batteries – for electric scooters, for instance – and a grocery delivery service are also popular. And there are still more services to come: We will offer a meeting box to work privately, a packstation will be established and guests will be able to test drive the Audi electric kick scooter powered by Egret. Ralph Hollmig, our project leader in Nuremberg, told me: “The numbers and the positive customer feedback show that our concept of offering a flexible, premium, fast-charging infrastructure in urban areas is really hitting the mark.“ Once again, proof of how sincere customer centricity is rewarded.

At the heart of it all: a self-sufficient, sustainable charging infrastructure

Another important aspect for me is the sustainability concept of our hubs. The energy storage in Nuremberg is provided by power cubes, as they will be at all future Audi charging hub locations. These flexible container cubes can be built up and dismantled at short notice, and each unit offers two fast-charging points. Second-life batteries – used lithium-ion batteries from former Audi test vehicles – serve as energy storage and provide electricity.

The Nuremberg location only needs a 130 kW connection to the low-voltage grid to continually fill the storage modules, thanks to its 2.45 MWh buffer storage. Consequently, Audi can offer sustainable fast charging even in places where the electricity grid isn’t sufficient to operate six HPC charging points at up to 320 kW. Solar panels on the roof provide up to 30 kW of additional green energy in Nuremberg.

Instead of a lounge: wide-ranging service offerings around the Zurich hub

And now Zurich. It’s a compact version, as I mentioned, with four covered charging points across two power cubes. Thanks to its variable modular design, Audi can adapt the concept to various spaces. Its low space requirements are also perfect for urban locations. The hub is in Zurich’s financial district – it received admiring looks when it opened. And the Audi skysphere concept car made a ?special guest“ appearance.

And turning to Zurich’s charging facilities, customers can use a modified swivel arm to charge their cars at up to 320 kW across the entire width of the individual spaces. The areas between the cubes and vehicles are also wide enough for wheelchair users. Instead of a lounge, Audi provides a wide-ranging service offering around the hub. On two 55-inch screens, customers can find information about numerous food and fitness services. Electric bike sharing is available close to the fast-charging station.

Let me sum it up: We′re keep expanding our charging offer with individual and modular services. All of it as part of a holistic ecosystem we′re building around our cars to make every contact with our customers unique and exciting. True to the claim of the Audi charging hub: Not only charge the car, also charge the driver. Only when charging is at least as easy as refueling, e-mobility will succeed. That′s fundamental for a sustainable future.

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