These chargers can accommodate a total of
57 EV cars simultaneously, at varying capacities, regardless of model or brand ownership. This is in addition to the brand’s contribution of
70 EV charging connection points nationwide a year ago, when
Audi was the first to bring ultra-fast chargers to
South Africa.
The latest rollout includes the very first
DC 200kW ultra-fast charger in
South Africa, which is installed at the largest shopping mall ever built in a single phase – Mall of Africa - enabling compatible cars to charge ultra-fast. The
EV battery of an
e-tron GT can be recharged within 15 minutes*. The solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed at Mall of Africa is one of the largest of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, making this installation a progressive statement towards sustainable charging.
The rest of this second phase of infrastructure investment comprises four
100kW (DC), eight
60kW (DC), five
25kW (DC) and twenty-five
22kW (AC) fast EV charger installations at convenient locations across the country to serve all
EV customers. The commissioning of the first and second phase of charging infrastructure means that
Audi and partners GridCars and Rubicon, have installed 76 fast and ultra-fast
EV chargers across
South Africa, representing about 28% of public charging stations in the country.
“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. “EVs are the future of mobility and we’re investing not just in hardware infrastructure, but in making electric mobility simpler and more widely available for
South Africans, thus enabling the local
EV market to grow. By fulfilling our promise from early 2022, we’re demonstrating our commitment to helping take SA into the future of mobility”.
The partnership between
Audi,
GridCars and
Rubicon includes a roaming agreement, which allows billing cards to be interoperable across the two networks, making charging even easier, seamless and accessible for
Audi e-tron customers and users of other
EV brands.
Greg Blandford, Director of
Rubicon Energy & E-mobility, says that as public interest in
EVs grows, so will the drive to integrate charging infrastructure, renewable energy and energy storage systems. “
Rubicon is fully immersed and committed to the advancement of renewable energy and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in
South Africa. The global adoption of artificial intelligence, smart devices, greener technologies and carbon reduction initiatives has highlighted and accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. Local availability of more and more
EVs, coupled with the increase in fossil fuel costs, will be a major catalyst for
EV adoption in
South Africa,” he says.
“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”.
Credit: Justin Jacobs
