Audi Charging Hub: Charging with Lounge

We would have loved to visit in person - if a flu hadn't gotten in the way: At the first Charging Hub by Audi in Nuremberg, where you can charge in a lounge-like atmosphere, protected from the wind and weather. The planned Audi Charging Hubs are intended to provide charging opportunities for customers in urban environments who do not have charging options at home. This was first demonstrated by the Ingolstadt team on December 16, 2021, at the Nuremberg Fair, where the first Charging Hub opened on December 23, 2021. Ralph Hollmig, project leader for the Audi Charging Hub, explains:

“We go to where our customers don't necessarily wake up with a fully charged electric car and also think about the future rising demand for charging.”

Modular "Cubes" can be quickly set up, dismantled, and modified

The basis for the lounge-like hubs are so-called "Cubes" – container cubes, each with two fast charging points that can be quickly set up and dismantled and combined in different ways. Audi uses used second-life batteries as energy storage, which according to the manufacturer, come from dismantled development vehicles. This saves Audi the need for a costly high-voltage connection, expensive transformers, and a complex planning process. This allows the hubs to be opened exactly where they are needed, independent of the grid.

Specifically, the intermediate storage in Nuremberg offers 2.45 MW, which can be supplied with green power via the existing low-voltage network. A 200 kW connection suffices for this. Additionally, there are photovoltaic modules on the roof that can provide up to 30 kW of green energy. The DC charging power is up to 320 kW – the e-tron GT currently charges at up to 270 kW – ideally, it would be charged from ten to eighty percent within 23 minutes. According to Audi, up to 80 cars can be charged per day.

Very fair rates: 31 cents for DC with the Audi charging contract

The rates are favorable for what's offered: Audi currently charges customers with an e-tron charging contract 31 cents/kWh, which according to Hollmig, aims to stay within the tariff range of a home wall box – but offers DC! Other brands are also welcome, albeit at different rates. Booking is done via app or at two stations even via Plug and Charge, where the charging point recognizes the car. This again requires the e-tron Charging Service and a new model: as the e-tron 50/55 S and Sportback can only do this from production week 48/2021 – meaning from November 29, 2021. The reservation function is also new, with which Audi wants to find out at what times charging is most frequent.

Many additional services at the Hub

There are also extra services: A rental station for scooters, a swapping station for bicycle batteries, and test drive opportunities with the Q4 e-tron and RS e-tron GT. Additionally, Audi offers just-in-time delivery services for groceries, a "premium vending machine gastronomy," and mobile car care: Unfortunately, this also means that due to cost reasons, there is an attempt to have as few people as possible on site, which can turn the building in Nuremberg into a ghost hub, especially at night.

During the day, there is service staff on site and they welcome you between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the barrier-free 200-square-meter lounge with a 40-square-meter terrace. Charging points and lounge are available 24/7. And on a 98-inch screen, you can have details explained or configure your next Audi.

What does that mean?

An exciting approach that Audi is taking: The energy concept combined with the reservation and the lounge is certainly convincing. And at absolutely fair rates. Only at night will you be just as alone here as at any other charging point. It will be interesting to see how Audi and non-Audi drivers accept the Charging Hub.