German luxury car manufacturer Audi is working on a concept for quick-charging for premium-level electromobility. In the second half of the year, a pilot project will provide a specific outlook and a practical test for a possible serial roll-out.
This aligns with the plans to ramp up its efforts by 2025 with a wide range of more than 20 fully electric models. The key to its success is the availability of charging infrastructure.
Flexible and sustainable concept: 2.45 Mwh storage
The flexible container cubes fulfil various technical requirements and house charging pillars, and used lithium-ion batteries for energy storage.
The use of second life modules from disassembled development vehicles doesn’t just give the battery cells a new, sustainable purpose – it also provides a great benefit in their suitability as ancillary storage for direct current. This makes complex infrastructure with high-voltage lines and expensive transformers unnecessary.
The six charging stations, which have a charging output of up to 300 kW, only need a standard 400-volt high-voltage hook-up. That makes output starting at 11 kW per cube sufficient to fill the three storage modules with a total capacity of 2.45 MWh continually and charge them overnight. Photovoltaic modules on the roof provide additional green energy.
Besides, it makes it easier to select possible locations and reduces the planning time required and the costs while also saving resources. In addition, the modular concept provides maximum flexibility and scalability.
The hub can be transported, installed and adapted to the individual location quickly – largely independent of local network capacities.
“The charging hub embodies our aspiration for the electric era and highlights Audi’s commitment to ‘Vorsprung durch Technik.’ A flexible, high-performing HPC charging park like this does not require much from the local electricity grid and uses a sustainable battery concept. Our customers benefit in numerous ways: from the ability to make exclusive reservations, a lounge area and short waiting times thanks to high-performance charging. This is consistent with the premium concept,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Audi AG.
The company claims that it only takes a little longer than a coffee break to charge an electric Audi. The Audi e-tron GT, for example, reaches a charging capacity of up to 270 kW. That allows it to charge enough energy for up to 100 kilometres in about five minutes, with a charge from five to 80% taking roughly 23 minutes under ideal conditions.
The upstairs lounge area offers a place to pass the time; it is modern and in line with the premium concept, the perfect space and setting for a break with added value.
Trials and practical test: Pilot to launch in late summer
The search for a location in Germany for the Audi charging hub pilot project and talks with possible partners are currently underway. It is planned to go into operation in the second half of the year.
The findings of day-to-day operations and customer acceptance generated from this will be decisive for further implementation of the concept. “We are testing what the optimal technical solution is in a very realistic way. The focus in doing so is firmly on the needs of our customers,” Hoffmann adds.
The plan for the pilot phase also calls for drivers of other brand cars to be able to use charging stations that are open and not reserved as well as parts of the lounge.