Audi South Africa has partnered with GridCars to install ultra-fast charging stations across the country ahead of the local launch of its e-tron range of electric vehicles.
The charge points will provide up to 150 kW of direct current (DC) charge to electric vehicles, meaning an Audi e-tron 55 (with a 95 kWh battery) will charge from 10% to 90% in approximately 30 minutes. As part of this, Audi will invest in setting up 70 new EV charge connectors across 33 sites in order to expand on the existing public charging network in South Africa, for all electric vehicle drivers.
These publically accessible charging stations will offer all EV consumers regardless of vehicle ownership, the latest, state-of-the-art charging technology available in South Africa, aiming to assist consumers with the adoption of electric mobility.
“The investment and partnership with GridCars demonstrates our brand philosophy that the ‘future is an attitude,” says Sascha Sauer, Managing Director of Audi South Africa. “As we prepare for the arrival of our e-tron range, we understand there is more to be done as an automotive brand than simply providing the product, we also have to enable and partner with those who can empower the transition to an electric future with ease and understanding. Our public chargers are new, and incremental to the current EV charging network in South Africa.”
The investment includes:
- Four 150 kW (DC) ultra-fast charging stations, enabling +/- 340 km in 30 minutes. These are planned for placement along major highway routes such as the N1, N2, N3 and N4.
- Five 80 kW (DC) fast charging stations, enabling +/- 185 km in 30 minutes, also planned for location on major highway routes such as the N1, N2, N3 and N4. One of these chargers will close a long-standing gap (Richmond) in the route between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Twenty-four 22kW (AC) fast charging stations, enabling +/- 100 km in about one hour, at public lifestyle and recreational venues across the country and as part of Audi’s destination charging strategy.
- A total of 70 connectors will be available from the above charging stations, further growing the public charging opportunities for all EV drivers.
“GridCars, established in 2009, operates and manages the most extensive network of public charging stations across the country. This partnership with Audi not only expands the network but allows it to be upgraded with additional ultra-fast charging opportunities which is a first for our country, for all EV drivers, regardless of brand or vehicle model,” says Winstone Jordaan, Managing Director at GridCars.
As part of Audi’s e-tron launch efforts, a full e-tron model range will be available for sale in the next two months, through Audi’s ten e-tron Dealerships nationwide. This includes the e-tron 55 SUV, e-tron 55 Sportback, e-tron S Sportback, and the pinnacle of the line-up, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT.
