Electric charging for every type of brand, high-brightness screens for every type of weather
Despite a few hurdles, the infrastructure for e-mobility is being expanded – and the large car manufacturers are also participating. However, not so much with nationwide networks as with “flagship charging points”. One of these from Audi has been in the banking district of Zurich since the end of last year, directly in front of the Messe parking garage. The so-called Audi Charging Hub has four high-power charging charging points. For example, an Audi E-tron GT with a maximum charging capacity of 270 kW can be charged in five minutes for a range of up to 100 kilometers. The Zurich Audi Charging Hub can supply up to 60 electric vehicles with electricity per day.
The Zurich Audi Charging Hub has a modular structure. (Photo: LG)
The Zurich hub was preceded by a pilot project in Nuremberg that has been running since 2021. In Zurich, Audi has now implemented a more compact version. To make charging more convenient, the company has learned from the experience with the pilot site and modified the swivel arm: According to Audi, this allows electric cars to be charged even more independently of the charging connection located at different points on the vehicle.
High brightness for e-tankers
Unlike in Nuremberg, there is no lounge in Zurich either, as there is already an extensive range of services in the immediate vicinity of the fast charging station. Users can find out more about this while charging on two outdoor displays from LG’s XE4F series. Among other things, the 55-inchers provide information about gastronomy offers, an e-bike sharing offer and activities in the city.
Detailed view of the displays (Photo: LG)
Detailed view of the displays (Photo: LG)
The screens have a brightness of 4,000 candelas per square meter so that they can also be read in sunshine. The Quarter Wave Plate (QWP) enables a clear view at all times – even when the viewer is wearing polarized sunglasses. Thanks to LG’s IPS panel technology, the image remains clearly visible from almost any viewing angle. The screens have protection class IP56 and are height-adjustable for barrier-free operation.
Outdoor displays from LG are also used for the signage of the four charging points. The four IP56-certified 22-inch XE1J series offer a peak brightness of 1,500 candelas per square meter, the brightness is automatically adjusted depending on the ambient light.
Tailored to the city
In order to adapt to changing circumstances in the future, the charging hub was designed as a modular system. So-called power cubes serve as the basis. These are modular container cubes that can be flexibly assembled. Each Powercube in turn offers two quick charging points as a unit. The quick assembly and dismantling option is primarily intended to take account of the urban location. “Rapid charging options with a correspondingly high charging capacity, as you know them from motorways, hardly exist in urban areas,” explains Ralph Hollmig, overall project manager for the Audi charging hubs at Audi. “The urban charging concept in Zurich and Nuremberg is therefore primarily aimed at city drivers and offers them an attractive alternative to the wall box at home.”
Processed lithium-ion batteries from dismantled E-tron development vehicles act as power storage devices. They also serve as buffer storage for direct current. This means that local network capacities are less heavily used. Because the Audi Charging Hub does not have to be connected to a high-voltage line, no expensive transformers are required. According to Audi, “green” electricity comes from the grid, and photovoltaic modules on the roof also supply locally generated energy for operating the Audi charging hub.
Observe the charging process on the display
Customers can use the My Audi app to search for an Audi charging hub and reserve a 45-minute charging slot free of charge. In order to make the best possible use of the four charging points, the space is automatically released again if the reservation is not taken up 15 minutes after the booked time. The hub can be used for all electric vehicles, regardless of brand, that are equipped with a CCS charging connection that is common in Europe. Users can keep an eye on the charging progress of their vehicle at any time via the two operating displays from LG or the my Audi app.
A charging hub has now also been opened in Berlin, with more to follow in Munich and Salzburg.
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