- Audi has launched its eighth hub within its branded EV charging network, after opening a new charging hub in the Shibakōen neighbourhood of Tokyo, Japan.
- The new location is the second Audi charging hub to open in Tokyo, as Audi looks to expand its charging hub network worldwide.
- These new and upcoming hubs will remain open to drivers of all EV brands.
Audi expands its own charging hub network
The new Japanese hub comes after the success of Audi’s first charging hub in Japan, which also opened in Tokyo back in April of 2024. Since then, that initial site has seen over 2,500 charges take place, indicating a high appetite amongst Tokyo’s growing cohort of EV drivers.
This new compact charging hub, located in the busy metropolitan neighbourhood of Shibakōen, is modelled off of Audi’s first charging hub, which opened in late 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany. This site consists of just one charge point from PowerX – capable of charging two EVs simultaneously, at speeds of up to 150kW. Helping to keep cables off the floor, the charging cable is located on a swivel arm mounted on top of the PowerX unit. Upstairs, charging customers will find a 50 square metre waiting lounge, with an access code to the area granted to the customer once a charging session has begun. Much like the seven Audi charging hubs already in operation worldwide, the new Shibakōen hub runs exclusively on renewable energy.
Much like the existing Audi EV charging hubs, other brands of EVs will also be able to access these hubs. However, having these charging locations with prominent Audi branding will serve as a reminder for passers by that Audi is heavily investing in its EV future, and is ensuring that the facilities are in place to charge them. Japanese EV adoption has lagged behind many other countries, but with hubs such as these continuing to pop up across the country, more drivers should be convinced to make the switch.
For now, these hubs within the Audi-branded EV charging network have remained exclusive to Germany and Japan, though more countries are likely in the pipeline. Audi has hinted at bringing more of these branded hubs to Japan in the future, whilst also confirming that the German city of Munich is set to receive its second Audi EV charging hub, later this year.
Audi isn’t the only OEM opening its own-brand charging hubs, with it becoming an increasingly popular way for brands to promote their EV future. Porsche has opened similar charging ‘lounges’, whilst Mercedes-Benz has also recently founded its own global branded charging network.
