Audi e-den looks to future of electric fuel stops

Date: 22/12/2010

A charging station for electric vehicles has been commissioned by Audi as part of an effort to raise awareness of the future challenges of electromobility.

According to the carmaker, should its e-den concept one day become the norm, it believes it will be a rejuvenating experience for both the driver and the vehicle whenever an Audi e-tron electric car is charged.

Showcased this month at the Design Miami exhibition, the unit is the creation of Munich-based studio Mirko Borsche and reflects the fact that charging electric motors takes more time than refuelling a petrol or diesel engine.

As a result, the e-den features books and magazines for drivers to read as they wait, while they can also fill up on some organic food or relax on the sustainable wooden furniture.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Marketing and Sales, said: "We provide food for thought - not just about electric vehicles themselves, but also about the infrastructure that will have to be created to support electric mobility."

However, drivers may have some time to wait before they are able to make use of facilities such as these, as Dr Ben Lane, Managing Editor of nextgreencar.com, recently claimed it is still early days for electric cars.

Posted by Nick Anderson