The charge points will provide up to 150 kW of direct current (DC) charge to electric vehicles; meaning that 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 seventy new EV charge connectors across thirty-three sites in order to expand on the existing public charging network in South Africa, for all electric vehicle drivers.

These publicly 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.

This forms part of Audi’s pre-launch plans and in preparation for the arrival of the fully-fledged e-tron range in the first quarter of this year.

“The investment and partnership with GridCars demonstrate our brand philosophy that the ‘future is an attitude’”, Sascha Sauer, Managing Director of Audi South Africa explains. “As we prepare for the arrival of our e-tron range, we understand that 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,” Sascha says.

Audi South Africa is fully embracing the partnership with GridCars and has already commenced with the installation of the local charging investment project since December 2021 and will continue. 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 +/- 185km 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 22 kW (AC) fast charging stations, enabling +/- 100km 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 seventy 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 exciting partnership and additional investment with Audi not only expand 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.

GridCars has already begun the installation of Audi branded chargers at various points across the country, the project kick-off started in December 2021 and will carry on through early 2022 in time for the planned retail launch of the Audi e-tron range in quarter one this year. This investment is over and above the charging stations installed at the ten Audi e-tron Dealerships which will offer additional ten 50 kW to 75 kW (DC) chargers with twenty connectors.

The e-tron model range will include 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.