A pilot project in the German city of Cologne means that the charging points are placed at the curb. It saves space, but is bad news for some drivers.
In future, electric car owners may be forced to squat or kneel down to charge the car.
A pilot project in the German city of Cologne means that a number of charging points will be established below the already existing road and pavement surface.
That's what Auto Bild writes.
In a press release, the company, which has been given the task, writes that it has already established the 'underground' charging points in two places in the city.
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How well the new charging points are received by motorists will probably depend on age and physical ability. In order to charge the cars, you have to open the plug for the charger.
And since the charger sits down by the kerb, it can be difficult for people with poor physique, hip problems, etc. to get down that far. Nevertheless, the Cologne city government is sticking to the project.
Among other things, because new charging stations in this way require almost no space and therefore do not have to adapt the already existing public space. Or rather – the public space should not be adapted to the charging stand.
Curbside charging is not the first step towards electric cars, which the Cologne city government has thrown money at. For several years, money has been spent on inductive charging stands for electric taxis.
Something Volvo, among others, has experimented with in Gothenburg. However, it will require a completely new type of road surface, and according to the researchers behind Volvo's experiment, it could take up to 10 years before the project can be used on a larger scale. Read more about it here .
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