Audi is enhancing the global electric vehicle (EV) charging experience with the launch of a cutting-edge electric-charging test center at its Ingolstadt site. The new facility, which began operations earlier this year, features a flexible grid simulator that allows Audi to test electric car models under the diverse power conditions found in different regions, including China, the United States, and many others. The results of these tests are directly integrated into the research and development of Audi’s electric vehicles, ensuring customers worldwide benefit from the optimal charging experience.
Audi is one of the first automobile manufacturers to operate such an advanced simulator, which is central to its electric-charging test center. The simulator can replicate the voltage and grid configurations of various non-EU countries, enabling Audi to conduct field tests that mirror global charging conditions. Developed in partnership with Bosch Rexroth and Schmidbaur, the simulator is capable of delivering a wide range of voltages (100 to 540 volts) and frequencies (40 to 65 hertz), supporting both single-phase and multi-phase networks.
Project manager Daniel Ettinger explains, “With the grid simulator, we can test whether our models can successfully charge with charging stations in the US or China, for example.” The system’s flexibility helps Audi’s engineers tailor vehicle software to better interact with charging stations used worldwide, optimizing charging performance and ultimately improving efficiency.
This initiative significantly reduces the need for time-consuming and costly testing abroad, while also ensuring a faster and more convenient charging experience for Audi customers in every corner of the world. With this new testing center, Audi is setting the stage for a truly global EV experience, making charging easier, quicker, and more adaptable for international markets.
