“The rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure in Europe and worldwide is crucial for the success of e-mobility. We see this as a joint task for politics and industry. The Audi charging hubs are our way of supplementing the public charging infrastructure,” says Audi CEO Markus Duesmann.

High charging output without any drop in performance through “Vorsprung durch Technik”

The Audi charging hub differs from many other quick-charging stations in that it does not require a medium-voltage connection. This sets it apart from many other quick-charging stations, which often necessitate additional infrastructure. The concept is based on “charging cubes” – modular containers that contain refurbished lithium-ion batteries (second-life batteries) made from disassembled Audi development vehicles. The design reduces the strain on local grid capacity and means the charging hub requires no elaborate, expensive infrastructure.

The Audi charging hub in Salzburg has four charging points with a buffer storage unit that enables constant charging with up to 320 kW of output at each of them, even if they are all in use at the same time. At full capacity, that is, when all four charging points are used simultaneously, each charging point can always supply 320 kW.

Accessibility

In designing the charging hub, barrier-free accessibility was of the utmost importance. Wheelchair users in particular will find sufficient space to open the doors and move around the vehicle thanks to the spacious dimensions. The payment terminals can be moved to a wheelchair-friendly height at the push of a button. Charging becomes even easier if the vehicle uses Plug & Charge. This feature enables the vehicle to exchange payment information directly with the charging point – eliminating the need for physical payment or verification. Additionally, the charging cables are mounted on an innovative swivel arm so that the charging plug can be effortlessly moved to any position on the vehicle, allowing the user to conveniently reach the charging port no matter where it is, regardless of the vehicle model.

All payment cards accepted

The new charging concept for electric cars will not only be available to Audi drivers. Any electric car equipped with a CCS charging port can be charged, no matter the make. Audi customers are able to reserve a slot in advance. They can use the myAudi app to make an appointment for a no-wait charging slot. A bar ensures the booked charging point stays free for up to 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.

Figures from Nuremberg and Zurich underscore how drivers of electric cars from Audi or other brands are embracing the urban quick-charging concept of the brand with the four rings. In Nuremberg, where Audi has been operating the large Audi charging hub with six charging points and a 200-square-meter (2,150-sq-ft) lounge above it since December of 2021, the customer return rate is 70 percent. “Customers there have now integrated charging at the charging hub into their daily routine,” says Ralph Hollmig, Audi charging hub project manager. Audi has counted up to 62 charges per day in Nuremberg; on average, the first Audi charging hub registers 36 charges daily. Around half of users roll up to the hub in an electric Audi model. “When we launched the Audi charging hub in December of 2021, hardly anyone had predicted this level of success. By early 2023, we already had our 10,000th hub visitor,” Hollmig reports. “In Zurich, too, we are seeing similarly high demand. These figures completely validate our concept of urban charging in lieu of charging at home. This gives us confidence that an attractive location like here in Salzburg will continue the success story.”

The smart, dynamic load control Audi developed internally ensures efficient use of the existing power infrastructure. In selecting the location, Audi relied on an in-house data analysis to check on-site demand in advance.

Audi’s partner in operating the Audi charging hub MOON POWER handles the entire technical project management side. As charge point operator (CPO), MOON POWER purchases the electricity and runs the billing system. The location directly next to MOONCITY Salzburg with its preexisting, perfect infrastructure (including local amenities and restaurants adjacent to the site) is ideal for such a project.

“We are excited to open the Audi charging hub in Salzburg as our fourth location worldwide,” says Thomas Beran, Brand Director Audi Austria. “Flexible, premium quick-charging infrastructure in urban areas is becoming increasingly important due to the rising number of electric vehicles on our streets. The high desirability of our Audi e-tron models is doing its part to increase charging needs in cities like Salzburg, creating demand for premium charging stations in addition to the conventional charging stations we’re all familiar with.”

Audi has partnered with international design fairs for many years. Following its involvement in 2020 and 2021, the company will again be present as a main sponsor and active exhibitor at Design Shanghai, Asia’s foremost trade fair for design. In keeping with the trade fair's theme, ‘Beyond sustainability lies recreative design – Design for well-being’, Audi is displaying the activesphere concept design study in China for the first time. It’s holistic design puts humans at the center.

Henrik Wenders, Head of Audi Brand, explains: “We are positioning ourselves at the trade fair as a designer among designers. After all, Audi sets standards with its progressive design, and we don’t just mean the shape of our cars. Audi Design brings our customers immersive, sustainable, and interactive experiences, pursuing our greater philosophy of shaping our future way of life. We aim to balance nature and society for a sustainable way of life for future generations. The Audi activesphere concept embodies our philosophy perfectly.”

Visitors can dive into the world of the activesphere concept

Audi will present a walk-in installation outside the venue’s entrance. Under the motto ‘Reconnect with nature – celebrate the escape’, visitors can dive into the study through an immersive media installation and escape the busy city for a few minutes. Moreover, a WeChat app will let them interact with a virtual interface and enjoy a video-based augmented reality (AR) experience. A technology-first, the new Audi system combines the physical and virtual worlds (i.e., mixed reality) by displaying digital content in occupants’ fields of vision in real time.

The concept car itself is on display at the Audi booth, along with its entire range of possible equipment, such as e-bikes, golf bags, e-foils, and other water and winter sports gear. What makes this car special is that the crossover coupé transforms into a pickup truck at the touch of a button in seconds, with a cargo area perfect for carrying recreational equipment. There is even an integrated ski rack in the center of the roof. 

Design presentations and panel talks with leading Audi designers

The concept car was conceived and designed at the Audi Design Studio in Malibu. Charles Lefranc, Design Manager, and Ryan Schlotthauer, Interior Designer, will travel from Malibu to explain the car’s design live at the booth twice daily. A panel talk with the designers on ‘The Future of Mobility – Designed for Well-being’ will also take place on the opening day of the Design Forum event. Aidan Walker, the curator of Design Shanghai, will offer a short introduction and then hand over to Esther Francis (Vice President, FAW Audi Sales Co., Ltd.).

Audi Brussels has produced the Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron - the brand with the four rings top electric SUV model - since December 2022. Audi's first fully electric model, the Audi e-tron, previously rolled off its production line. The Brussels plant is the world's first CO₂-neutral1 large-scale production facility in the premium segment to be certified by independent experts.

With the largest photovoltaic site in the Brussels region, covering 107,000 square meters, the Audi plant saves around 1,881 tons of CO₂. It produces around 9,000 megawatt hours of electricity from renewable energies annually – enough to charge 90,000 Audi Q8 e-trons.

In the second half of 2023, Audi Brussels will assemble the Audi Q4 e-tron in addition to production in Zwickau, Germany.

Audi wants to achieve carbon neutrality on the environmental balance sheet, which means a condition in which, after exhausting other possible reduction measures in relation to CO₂ emissions caused by Audi products or activities, existing and/or currently unavoidable CO₂ emissions as part of the supply chain, manufacturing or recycling of Audi vehicles are at least offset in quantity by voluntary and worldwide offsetting projects. During the usage phase of a vehicle, which means from the moment a vehicle is handed over to customers, CO₂ emissions are not taken into account.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl had set his squad a clear target: “Our technology, the entire team and our drivers and co-drivers have the potential to drive at the very front. Our stage results proved that. So it was all the more annoying that tire failures and other problems set us back in January. Now we have to find solutions. Our systematically planned test was the next important step on this path after the theoretical analysis.” Team Audi Sport and the three drivers Mattias Ekström, Carlos Sainz and Stéphane Peterhansel spent several days in Saudi Arabia in the third week of May working for this purpose.

Using two different types of tires from BF Goodrich, the official tire supplier of the Dakar Rally, the team compared the performance and attempted to recreate the conditions of January’s damage in order to develop countermeasures. Various tracks were available for this purpose: On a sprint track of just under 13 kilometers with gravel and sand, the engineers examined performance aspects. Over a distance of around 110 kilometers on a stony course, the focus was on durability and damage patterns. Also on the agenda was work with the shock absorbers, as the chassis has to behave reliably but also consistently and efficiently on the rough surfaces. Measurement sensors in the chassis for loads and accelerations supported this analysis.

Sven Quandt, Team Director of Q Motorsport, summed up: “The test organization was definitely demanding. Audi Sport supported this testing perfectly. We were able to reproduce tire failures during the runs, which is pleasing in that it allows us to analyze very well the conditions and circumstances that caused us headaches in January. Closely related to this are the suspension settings, which we have varied. We haven’t worked out a one hundred percent solution yet, but the test was valuable and we’re on the right track.” Carlos Sainz was fully fit again after his accident in January and competed with regular co-driver Lucas Cruz. Stéphane Peterhansel also took part in the test, but also with co-driver Lucas Cruz. “It was the right decision not to use Stéphane’s regular co-driver Edouard Boulanger again yet after his injuries in January, as the test tracks were physically very demanding. After all, every additional day without extreme stress supports the further healing process,” says Rolf Michl. Mattias Ekström was involved as standard with co-driver Emil Bergkvist.

In Saudi Arabia, Team Audi Sport experienced temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius and repeatedly strong winds. For the workforce, the conditions were correspondingly demanding. The Audi RS Q e-tron with electric drive and its low-emission energy converter powered by reFuel completed the test without complaint. This reliable run over a distance of 2,568 kilometers not only confirmed the maturity of the innovative concept. It also allowed the busy program to be systematically completed. In addition to technical insights, engineers and drivers also benefit from the productive testing in Saudi Arabia in terms of decision-making and driving style. After the return, a comprehensive analysis of all recorded data is scheduled. In this way, Audi and Q Motorsport are continuing to prepare the next steps in development and organization for the 2024 Dakar Rally.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com