Street-Side EV Charging: Germany’s Pilot & Portugal’s Approach or EV Charging on the Street: A New Solution for Cities?

The electric vehicle revolution is prompting innovative solutions to address a critical challenge: charging infrastructure. While the convenience of overnight home charging is readily available to many, a significant portion of EV owners – and potential buyers – lack access to dedicated parking with electrical hookups. A German company, Rheinmetall, is piloting a novel approach to overcome this hurdle: embedding charging points directly into sidewalks.

Originally presented in 2022, the Rheinmetall Curb Charger aims to solve the “last mile” problem of EV charging, particularly for those living in urban areas without private garages. The concept, now moving beyond the design phase, involves integrating compact charging units into the existing urban landscape, offering a convenient and space-saving alternative to traditional charging stations.

Pilot Program in Cologne Demonstrates Feasibility

Following local authority approval, Rheinmetall initiated a pilot project in 2024 in the Lindenthal district of Cologne, Germany. This residential area, characterized by single-family homes, provided an ideal testing ground for the technology. The system operates through a simple process: drivers park alongside the sidewalk, locate a charging point concealed beneath a hatch, scan a code on the unit, and connect their vehicle using a standard alternating current (AC) charging cable.

The charging session is linked to the vehicle through the system, and payment is processed via a mobile application, mirroring the functionality of existing public charging networks. The chargers utilize the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 1.6 communication standard, enabling data exchange with backend systems for session management, reservations, and over-the-air software updates.

Positive Initial Results, But Cost Remains a Factor

Early results from the year-long pilot have been encouraging. Rheinmetall reports approximately 2,800 charging cycles were completed during the trial period. On average, each session delivered 18 kWh of energy, sufficient for over 100 kilometers of urban driving or 80-100 kilometers on the highway, depending on vehicle efficiency. The chargers demonstrated a high availability rate of 99%, significantly exceeding the European and Spanish averages where public charging points are typically occupied for 30 to 120 minutes daily and utilized around 1.5 times per day.

User feedback, gathered through a survey, was largely positive, with an average rating of 4.38 out of 5. Notably, drivers over the age of 60 particularly appreciated the system’s simplicity. The pilot also revealed minimal issues with vandalism, water damage, or general misuse, even in typical urban conditions.

However, the cost of implementation remains a significant barrier. Rheinmetall estimates the cost of each charging unit, including cooling and climate control systems, to be around €5,000. This price point is considerably higher than a traditional home charger, raising questions about economic viability.

Trade-offs and the Broader EV Charging Landscape

Beyond the initial cost, the deployment of curb-side charging points necessitates the reservation of parking spaces, effectively reducing overall parking availability. This mirrors the challenge faced by all public charging infrastructure – balancing accessibility with the need to dedicate space for charging vehicles.

The fundamental challenge of public EV charging remains speed. A 7.4 kW charging point, typical of these sidewalk installations, requires approximately 10 hours to fully charge a 60 kWh battery – a common capacity for many electric vehicles. This makes such a system most suitable for overnight or full-workday charging, where the extended charging time is less of an inconvenience. Faster charging options, such as 50 kW DC fast chargers, can replenish a battery in under three hours, but require more substantial infrastructure and higher costs.

Alternative Approaches and Portugal’s Incentives

Several countries are exploring alternative approaches to expand public charging infrastructure. Portugal, for example, is offering incentives to encourage the installation of charging stations, including financial support for condominiums and organizations, covering up to 80% of the charger purchase price (up to €800 per station) and contributing up to €1,000 per parking space for electrical installation when connected to the Mobi.E network. This demonstrates a broader governmental commitment to enhancing EV accessibility.

Other initiatives, like those in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, involve integrating charging points into existing street lighting infrastructure, offering a less disruptive and potentially more cost-effective solution. These systems leverage existing electrical connections, minimizing the need for extensive groundwork.

the success of any public charging solution hinges on a combination of convenience, cost-effectiveness, and charging speed. While Rheinmetall’s curb-side charging pilot demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating charging infrastructure into the urban fabric, the economic realities and logistical challenges will need to be addressed before widespread adoption can occur. The ongoing evolution of charging technology and government support will be crucial in shaping the future of EV charging and accelerating the transition to electric mobility.