E-Cars: lamppost becomes charging station

The capital is working within its means to prepare the infrastructure for the transport transition and the expected increase in electric vehicles. But this often neglects Berlin's outer districts, as resources for such things as setting up new charging stations or e-parking spaces are usually only sufficient - if at all - for implementation in the more central neighbourhoods. However, a new project of the Senate Mobility Administration and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology should now provide an opportunity for a broader provision of charging infrastructure. 

After initial tests in Marzahn-Hellersdorf and Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Spandau will now also participate in the "EIMobileBerlin" programme - according to the district office. By the end of the year, at least 50 street lamps in Spandau are to be equipped with charging facilities for electric cars. Residents - who cannot charge the e-batteries of their electric cars at home or, for example, do not have their own secure access to private parking spaces with charging facilities - will then be able to conveniently fill their electric cars with electricity in the public street area.  

However, the 50 lamppost charging points can "only be a first building block", explains CDU politician Carsten Schatz. Especially in view of the plans of the Berlin transport senate to introduce a Zero Emission Zone from 2030 and thus only allow e-cars to drive in the city centre, a stronger and more far-reaching infrastructure is of fundamental importance, he says. Rather, therefore, must be the charging points that are to be made available as part of the project. The locations should also be determined in such a way that the charging points erected can meet the needs of e-car owners in the best possible way. The district office is to be involved in the selection process. 

However, the district's expectations are still far from the actual possibility of implementing the programme. Although the project does not cost the district anything, the city's financial resources to support the project are still limited. However, there is less doubt that the project has potential to pave the way for electric mobility throughout Berlin. It is true that the lantern charging points' output of 3.7 kilowatts is relatively low - compared, for example, with the output of normal charging points of 11 kilowatts or with fast charging points of up to 150 kilowatts. However, this would bring considerable advantages. According to experts, this would put less strain on the batteries and primarily on the urban electricity grid. 

All in all, should everything go according to plan and be disposed of within the funding period, the "EIMobileBerlin" project could play an important role in the future promotion of electric mobility - in Spandau, as well as in the rest of Berlin. And thus initiate the steps necessary for the creation of a completely adequate infrastructure, without which "a switch to electric cars remains unthinkable" and also the implementation of the Zero Emission Zone or tightening of the environmental zone would not be feasible.