Audi has announced that it has completed its roll-out on the second investment of its EV infrastructure rollout to the current available network. The project sees the brand working alongside with Rubicon to not only add an additional 43 charging stations (on top of the 70 EV charging stations that were setup a year ago) to South Africa’s EV network but also includes the provision of the very first 200kW DC charging station that has been setup right here in Johannesburg.
The ultra-fast charging station has been setup at Mall of Africa with the ultra-fast DC charges having capabilities in that they can ‘theoretically’ charge its 93kWh e-Tron GT in just 15 minutes. The charging points also have solar backup, linked to the photovoltaic (PV) system installed at the mall, one of the largest of its kind.
“The rollout of our second phase of EV charging stations is the next step in realising our vision of sustainable mobility and living our mantra that the ‘Future is an Attitude’,” says Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa.
Audi has also entered into a roaming agreement with GridCars and Rubicorn in which billing cards can be used between the two networks, making it that much easier for consumers to use the charging stations.
A breakdown of the newly added 43 charging stations installed as per province:
| Gauteng | 15 |
| Western Cape | 11 |
| Eastern Cape | 10 |
| Kwa-Zulu Natal | 4 |
| Mpumalanga | 2 |
| Free State | 1 |
| Total | 43 |
“While load shedding is a reality to which South Africans have become accustomed, it is worth pointing out that our charging network also capitalises on solar installations, where possible, to keep the charging stations optimally operational,” says Sauer. “With a range between 350 and 480km the Audi e-tron models typically do not require a charge every day, so depending on driving style and daily commuting distances, owners will be able to find their nearest charging station and charge their vehicles regularly, with ease”.
It is no lie that there is a growing interest in EV cars in the country and having such investments further pushes consumers towards electric cars. Further integration with renewable solutions into the grid mitigates the growing anxiety that consumers often look at before considering an EV.
