Audi Shows Off Posh Charging Lounges Where You & Your Car Can Rest At
Image via Audi
As Tesla considers building restaurants, Audi has plans of its own to set up swanky charging stations reminiscent of airport lounges for first-class fliers.
Unveiling illustrations of a futuristic Audi charging hub, the automaker envisions a building with six LED-lit fast charging pods. Outside, drivers can plug in their EVs and charge the vehicles for about the same amount of time it takes to pop in for a quick bite and coffee.
Audi purports that the stations can juice up an E-Tron GT from 5% to 80% battery in 23 minutes. The power comes from a set of recycled lithium-ion battery “cubes” which can be charged overnight, mixed in with solar power collected from eco panels on the roof.
As your car takes a quick break, you too can recharge your batteries at the luxurious lounge in the upstairs of the building, where “a range of snacks, drinks, and non-food items” will be provided.
Whereas the charging hub can only accommodate six cars at any one time, its minimal design means that the entire setup is portable and can be moved elsewhere when needed.
To guarantee a spot in the charging hub, customers can reserve one in advance. Non-Audi drivers are also free to charge their EVs at a station if there are no reservations, though they will only be able to access limited areas of the lounge.
Audi hopes to open a pilot station in Germany “in late summer.” There are no plans for rollouts in other parts of the world as of yet.
Image via Audi
Image via Audi
[via Autoblog, images via Audi]
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