Last month, The Four Rings inaugurated their inaugural Audi charging hub outside Europe. Located in Tokyo, Japan’s capital, the hub offers electric car drivers, regardless of brand, access to four fast-charging points, each with up to 150 kilowatts (kW) – a remarkable charging power in Japan. With the integration of a buffer storage unit, the Audi charging hub minimizes strain on the local power grid. Moreover, this marks the seventh Audi charging hub globally, exclusively powered by renewable energy sources.
Situated in the Kioichō business district, the hub is surrounded by offices, shopping centers, and cafes, offering customers diverse ways to utilize their charging time.
Designed with urban dwellers in mind, Audi’s concept primarily caters to individuals who lack home charging capabilities. The compact iteration of the Audi charging hub in Tokyo boasts two charging stations equipped with a total of four fast-charging points, each featuring CHAdeMO charging plugs. Similar to its European counterparts, this fast-charging station accommodates all-electric vehicles, irrespective of brand.
At the Audi charging hub in Tokyo, customers can charge their electric vehicles at speeds of up to 150 kW. This is particularly impressive considering the unique charging power requirements in Japan compared to European countries. In Japan, the voltage in the power grid is only 100 volts, necessitating a higher current to achieve optimal charging capacities. Consequently, this requires larger cable cross-sections, which are not commonly found in the country’s historically evolved power grids.
This advancement not only facilitates the expansion of charging infrastructure but also enables faster charging speeds compared to the local average in Japan. Moreover, the charging points exert minimal strain on the local power grid. The battery stores surplus electricity during periods of low grid demand, such as nighttime. Audi exclusively utilizes electricity from renewable sources, with the charging hub primarily powered by green energy generated directly from the photovoltaic system installed on the station’s roof.
“A key success factor for the mobility transition is the charging infrastructure, which we are supplementing sensibly with our Audi charging hubs,” said Ralph Hollmig, Senior Director Premium Charging at AUDI AG. “People in Japan can now benefit from our unique concept, which is in tune with the times: our analyses show, for example, that around 70 percent of charging processes at our first charging hub in Nuremberg are carried out by returning customers.”
Matthias Schepers, Audi Japan Brand Director,added, “I am delighted that we are launching the Audi charging hub in Japan. The fast-charging points are one of the cornerstones of our global electrification strategy.” The installation expresses Audi Japan’s commitment to promoting electric vehicles. “We want to help address concerns about electric vehicles in urban areas. Customers can use the charging time effectively by taking a break or looking at the new Audi models in the showroom.”
