Audi India inaugurates RE-powered ultra-fast charging stations
Mumbai: German luxury car manufacturer Audi today inaugurated India’s first ultra-fast charging station at BKC Mumbai. Developed in collaboration with ChargeZone, this ultra-fast charger has a total effective capacity of 450 kW to deliver 360 kW of power to an electric vehicle and is equipped with a 500 amps liquid-cooled gun to ensure high performance and efficiency.
The Audi Q8 55 e-tron with a 114KW battery (the largest in a passenger vehicle in India) can be charged from 20 percent to 80 percent in just 26 minutes. In keeping with Audi’s focus on sustainability, the ultra-fast charging ‘e-tron hub’ is powered entirely by green energy and has a solar roof, which supports the operation of peripheral electrical needs, including lighting the ‘e-tron hub’. Audi e-tron owners are offered free charging till March 2024.
Alexander von Waldenberg-Dressel, Senior Director, Sales Region Overseas, Audi AG, said, “We at Audi are committed to expanding the charging network for electric vehicles and I am delighted that Audi in India has taken a pioneering step in this direction. Installing India’s fastest EV charger in Mumbai is a major achievement and shows the evolution of EVs in the country. This fast charger will ensure consumers in Mumbai city benefit from convenient and on-the-go charging.
Head of Audi India Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon said, Audi India’s inauguration of India’s first, ultra-fast charging station is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to develop an inclusive electric vehicle ecosystem for valued customers. The ultra-fast charging ‘e-tron hub’ is located at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, which is easily accessible to more and more electric vehicle owners. Rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is critical to address range concerns, ensuring a hassle-free experience and shorter charging times. We are also strengthening our commitment to a future of sustainable mobility, setting new benchmarks in the industry.
The ultra-fast charging station is designed to provide hassle-free experience and satisfaction. These charging stations have high capacity guns, which facilitate fast charging. Also, premium coffee vouchers are available for e-tron owners who charge their e-tron at the hub. The ultra-fast charging ‘e-tron hub’ is a lounge for e-tron owners to relax while the car charges. The hub will have trained staff, who will be readily available for any assistance required. Audi e-tron owners can access information about the ultra-fast charging ‘e-tron hub’ through their ‘MyAudi Connect’ app, allowing easy access to the location.
Kartikeya Hariani, Founder & CEO, ChargeZone said, “I am delighted with this remarkable collaboration between Audi India and ChargeZone to jointly develop a supercharging network in our country. Electric cars are on the rise in India, which clearly shows that an integrated approach to technology, upstream renewable energy, and the right place are needed to deliver a seamless experience to EV users. It is a pleasure to see Team Audi India aligned with our strategic plan of design, engineering and execution. I express my sincere gratitude to our partners for making this success possible.
Earlier this year, Audi India introduced ‘Charge My Audi’ on the MyAudi Connect app. This one-stop solution provides Audi e-tron customers with information on multiple electric vehicle charging partners in a single app. ‘Charge My Audi’ is an industry-first initiative that enhances convenience for customers. Powered by Pneumocity Technologies EMSP Roaming Solution, the application currently includes five charging partners – Argo EV Smart, Charge Zone, Relux Electric, LionCharge and Xeon Charging. Audi e-tron customers will benefit from complimentary in-network charging (excluding Xeon charging) till March 2024. Currently, more than 1,000 charge points are available for Audi e-tron owners on ‘Charge My Audi’ and more charge points will be added in the coming months.
Audi India has successfully installed more than 140 chargers across 73 cities in India. This includes all Audi India dealerships, workshop facilities and select SWDWIPL Group brand dealerships located on strategic highways in the country, facilitating ease of ownership.