Audi Simulates Global Power Grids to Test EV Charging

Audi has become one of the first carmakers tin the world o have a charging park with a flexibly adjustable grid simulator that replicates the different power grids of other countries. The operation started at the beginning of the year.

At the new electric-charging test centre at the Ingolstadt site, Germany, Audi models are being tested under the conditions that prevail in the various sales regions.

The results are incorporated directly into the research and development of the vehicles.

This means that customers always benefit from the best charging experience, no matter where they are in the world.

 The new system can deliver voltages between 100 and 540 volts and frequencies between 40 and 65 hertz.

It supports single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase networks, as well as split-phase operation.

The power grid simulation installation was developed by Bosch Rexroth in collaboration with its partner company Schmidbaur.

In a press release, Audi states: 'On their own factory premises, Audi engineers are using the electric-charging test center with its grid simulator to gain important insights into how electric cars and charging stations interact. They then apply their newly acquired knowledge to adapt vehicle software even better to the charging stations commonly used worldwide and to further improve the charging performance of the Audi models. The endeavor saves time and money, as it reduces the need for extensive testing abroad. At the same time, customers benefit from a charging experience that is individually designed for local conditions – so that charging is even faster and easier in all four corners of the globe'.

Audi is introducing more models with 800-volt battery architecture, enabling a DC charging performance of up to 270 kW under ideal conditions.