Audi SA, GridCars wrap up initial EV charging network rollout

15th August 2022 By: Irma Venter - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Audi SA, GridCars wrap up initial EV charging network rollout

The Audi EV charging point in Mossel Bay

Audi South Africa (SA), in partnership with GridCars, have finalised the installation of 33 electric vehicle (EV) new charging stations across the country. 

The chargers include four 150 kW (DC) ultrafast, five 80 kW (DC) fast, and twenty-four 22 kW (AC) EV charger installations.

All of the chargers are available to all South African EV drivers, regardless of model or brand.

“Audi is committed to ensuring that customers of any EV can comfortably travel the country, with the reassurance that the charging infrastructure is in place to support their progressive choice of mobility,” says Audi SA head Sascha Sauer.

“With the public Audi EV chargers now formally in operation and available, our project in ensuring that there are active state-of-the-art EV chargers at key destination and lifestyle venues across South Africa is tracking well, and we are excited to officially encourage all early adopters of electric mobility to utilise these charge points. 

“This is a huge encouragement towards the adoption of EVs in South Africa as it’s a positive indication towards a growing public EV charging network in our country,” he notes.

The four 150 kW (DC) public chargers in the network are the first for the South African market, says the German premium car maker.

These chargers will enable around 340 km driving range in roughly 30 minutes. 

These ultrafast chargers have been strategically positioned along national roads to support long-distance travel.
They can be found at:
N1 – Colesburg, Caltex, Northern Cape
N2 – Mosselbay, Langeberg Mall, Western Cape
N3 – Tugela North, Engen, KwaZulu-Natal
N4 – Riverside Mall, Mbombela, Mpumalanga

The live 80 kW (DC) fast charging stations, enabling around 185 km in 30 minutes, can be located at:
N1 – Ventersburg, Caltex, Free State
N1 – Richmond, Caltex, Northern Cape
N2 – The Crags, Engen, Plettenburg Bay, Western Cape
N3 – Tugela South, Engen, KwaZulu-Natal
N4 – Alzu Petroport, Mpumalanga (Audi has upgraded the existing unit from DC 60 kW to DC 80 kW. GridCars has also installed a new EV charging unit at Kranskop Engen, Limpopo).

The live 22 kW dual (AC) charging stations, enabling around 100 km in about an hour, can be located at lifestyle and destination venues in the following provinces:

Western Cape:
Hazendal Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Franschhoek Motor Museum, Franschhoek
Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch
Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Thesen Island, Knysna
Graham Beck Wine Estate, Robertson
The Marine Hotel, Hermanus
The Cellars Hohenort Hotel, Constantia
D’Hub B&B, Cape L'Agulhas

Gauteng:
Parkview Shopping Centre, Pretoria
Johannesburg Country Club, Auckland Park
Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Country Club
Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park
Johannesburg Country Club, Woodmead
Bryanston Country Club, Johannesburg
Kyalami Corner, Johannesburg
Virgin Active Bryanston, Johannesburg

Mpumalanga:
84 on Main, Dullstroom
Hazyview Junction Shopping Centre

KwaZulu-Natal:   
Cornubia Mall, Mt. Edgecombe
Selborne Hotel & Golf Club, Pennington
Cedar Garden B&B, Underberg

Free State:                              
Protea Hotel by Marriot, Clarens

North West:
Village Mall, Haartebeespoort dam

Audi says its network can be located on the GridCars live online map.

“Our mission is to continually increase EV charging points across the country in order to drive South Africa’s green e-mobility revolution forward,” says Sauer.