Electrified megacity

The idea that started as a pilot in 2021 continues to spread worldwide with the opening of Audi’s second charging hub in Tokyo. The eighth charging hub to be launched by Audi worldwide, the new centre in the sprawling city’s Shibakōen neighbourhood sits almost at the foot of the famous Tokyo Tower – one of the city’s best recognised landmarks.

Juxtaposing this cutting-edge tech installation is the historic Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park, which dates back to1873, making this area an interesting blend of Tokyo high rise and high technology with green spaces and historical landmarks existing side by side.

This is the second Audi charging Hub to be opened in the Japanese capital, with the brand’s first Japanese hub having now delivered more than 2500 vehicle charges since it first went into operation just over a year ago.

The new two-story facility is modelled after the first Audi charging hub in Nuremberg and is a battery-powered charging station. The hypercharger from PowerX – is installed on the ground level and is able to charge two vehicles simultaneously thanks to its maximum charging capacity of 150 kilowatts.

Operation is a simple process and even the high premium placed on space in Tokyo has not presented a problem with a patented Audi swivel arm installed which is attached to the top of the hypercharger. 

This enables easy access to the vehicle’s charging port regardless of which side it is one – invaluable given that like all Audi charging hubs, the Shibakōen installation is designed to service all electric vehicles, regardless of make.

Also like each of the other Audi charging hubs, this new addition uses buffer storage to place only a low demand on the local power grid. It uses electricity generated exclusively from renewable sources and a complex high-voltage supply line and expensive transformers are not necessary.

As is the case for all Audi charging hubs, upstairs from the vehicle charging area is a lounge specifically for the customers’ use while their vehicle is charging.

The sumptuous 50-square metre lounge area is accessed by customers with the use of an access code which is sent to their phone as soon as the vehicle charging process commences, enabling them to relax or get some work done while they wait.

It’s a typically Audi approach to the charging process, elevating it from an essential aspect of electric vehicle ownership, to one that becomes time well spent while performing that essential task. This approach has not surprisingly met with a high level of acceptance in Tokyo, with Audi already planning additional charging hubs for the Japanese megacity as part of the program’s continued international rollout.

Back in Europe, a second Audi charging hub is also planned for Munich later in the year, with more planned in strategic centres around the globe.