Charging Hub: Audi envisions snazzier facilities for EVs

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Any driver who’s whiled the time away on a large highway knows the value of a safe and well-stocked rest stop since they provide a spot to fill up your car and its passengers — both of whom tend to have empty tanks after a spell on the road. Audi has a similar vision for the future, one which involves a whole bunch of electric cars.

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Currently a pilot project, the company is calling these rest stops Charging Hubs. At their core will be flexible container cubes, designed to fulfill various technical requirements and house charging pillars. This being Audi, there is an element of luxury which includes a lounge and the ability to make a reservation. But here’s the kicker: this facility also contains used lithium ion batteries for energy storage.

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These second-life modules are from disassembled development vehicles and provide a large amount of interim storage — roughly 2.45 Mwh — for the Hub’s six charging stations. With a healthy amount of electricity stored on site, the installation doesn’t need a connection to the main grid that’s the size of a forearm. In fact, Audi says it only needs a standard 400 volt high-voltage hook-up, making it easier to select possible locations.

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“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,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Audi AG. “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.”

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On the techie side of its ledger, the trio of storage modules can be continually refilled from the standard power grid connection, with photovoltaic modules on the roof to provide additional energy and a dose of green cred. This flexibility makes it easier to select possible locations, since special-use electrical infrastructure isn’t generally required. It also reduces planning time required and costs, since the Hub can be deployed with relative ease compared to a permanent installation. The lounge concept is also appealing, since many EV charging stations are bereft of facilities.

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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.