Charging at streetlights: an expensive experiment with limited benefits?
The challenge of electromobility is not only the purchase of the vehicles, but also the provision of a nationwide charging infrastructure. The Berlin start-up Ubitricity has come up with a creative solution: converting street lamps into charging stations. But the reality is sobering. According to current figures from the Berlin Senate, not even one in ten streetlights is suitable for conversion. In addition, the costs are considerable at 6000 euros per conversion (without network expansion).
There are particular difficulties in the eastern districts of Berlin. Here, many poles are only connected to the grid with a lighting cable and only have power at night. In addition, many poles are structurally unsuitable or listed buildings prevent them from being retrofitted. The question arises as to whether the costs are in proportion to the benefits.
The Berlin transport administration has soberly determined that the potential of the existing infrastructure is largely exhausted without retrofitting. For this reason, the existing charging stations were selected for special use by the borough road and green space authorities. Selection criteria included the material, shape and diameter of the pole as well as the year of construction. Concrete masts and all masts erected before 2011 are not suitable for conversion.
By 2030, the public charging infrastructure in Berlin is to be expanded to over 1,800 new charging points by Berliner Stadtwerke and around 1,400 by third-party operators. It is questionable whether streetlights will continue to be converted.
Converting street lamps into charging stations is an innovative idea, but its realisation faces considerable hurdles. The high costs and the limited number of suitable locations raise questions about the practicability and economic viability of this concept. Whether and how this project will be continued remains to be seen. One thing is clear: electromobility needs a nationwide charging infrastructure. And efficient and economical solutions must be found for this.