Audi opens doors to second charging hub in Tokyo

The Audi charging hub, Audi's novel concept for quick charging infrastructure, has quickly expanded to the rest of the world after taking flight first in Nuremberg, Germany. The latest location it's now landed in? One of Tokyo's most famous neighbourhoods. 

The Japanese capital's Shibakoen neighbourhood has been freshly minted as the new host to the Audi charging hub, now presenting Audi customers (and other EV owners, since access is brand independent) a scenic place to rest and relax in while fast charging their electric cars. There's quite the view to take in here: Surrounding the charging hub are the Tokyo Tower, the historic Zojoji Temple, and Shiba Park, among other green spaces and high-rise buildings.

Unlike the first Audi charging hub in Tokyo, the Shibakoen hub is a two-storey facility with two 150kW fast chargers housed on the ground level, and a 50 square metre lounge located upstairs

Modelled after the first site in Nuremberg, the Shibakoen Audi charging hub is a two-storey facility, which sees a battery-powered charging station installed on the ground level, and a 50 square metre-lounge housed upstairs.

Two DC chargers with a maximum charging capacity of 150kW are availed to users here, allowing for two EVs to be charged at the same time. And like Audi's other charging hubs worldwide, the site is also equipped with Audi's patented swivel arms, which enable effortless access to the vehicle's charging port.

Similar to other Audi charging hubs worldwide as well is the low demand that the Shibakoen hub places on the local power grid, thanks to its buffer storage. This eliminates the need for a complex high-voltage supply line and expensive transformers.

Audi has teased that more charging hubs are to come still in Tokyo, given the warm reception in the city 

Additionally, only electricity generated from renewable sources is used here.

The Shibakoen site marks the second Audi charging hub to make landfall in Tokyo, with the first one having opened its doors in April 2024 within the city's Kioicho business district. 

Audi states that more than 2,500 charging processes have been carried out there since its opening, evincing the warm reception and high level of acceptance in Tokyo. More charging hubs are apparently on the way for the Japanese city, while a second site is also scheduled to open in early fall in Munich.