E-cars in the crisis: As Rhineland-Palatinate concerns charging problems!

E-cars in the crisis: As Rhineland-Palatinate concerns charging problems!

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the efforts to expand electromobility are faced with diverse challenges. Despite a significant increase in the number of newly approved electric vehicles, many potential buyers are hesitating due to concerns about reach and the existing charging options. According to the Stern pointing out that the number of purely battery drives in Rhineland-Palatinate from almost 5,700 at the beginning of 2020 to over 70,000 at the beginning of 2024. The increase in the hybrid vehicles, which rose from almost 24,000 to over 136,000 in the same period, is even clearer

In the period from January to September 2024, 81,500 cars were re-approved, 14% of which had a pure electric drive and 5.5% of plug-in hybrid drive. These are positive developments, considering that at the beginning of 2024 a total of around 2.63 million cars were registered in Rhineland-Palatinate, the majority still equipped with internal combustion engines.

growth of the charging infrastructure

The charging infrastructure has recently improved, but the operators report that the charging stations are only 12% occupied. In the second half of 2024, an output of 420 megawatts was available, which means 160 megawatts more than at the beginning of 2024. In 2023, 460 normalcycle columns and 531 quick charging devices were reinstalled, so that there are now over 2,000 quick charging devices.

The municipal and urban association sees the expansion of the charging infrastructure as a central task, especially in rural areas. In Rhineland-Palatinate there is a significant regional variation in the number of charging stations, with 166 in the district of Mainz-Bingen and only 34 in the Birkenfeld district. Many households in rural regions now have the opportunity to install their own wall boxes, which reduces the need for public charging infrastructure.

The Palatinate now operates 1,750 charging points nationwide, including 555 in Rhineland-Palatinate. The improvement of the infrastructure could be further accelerated by tax discounts and faster approval procedures. Small and compact electric vehicles that are well suited for short -haul routes have so far been in short supply.

market developments and consumer concerns

A worrying factor for consumers is the deletion of the federal premiums for electric cars, which has led to uncertainty. However, the model pallets of car manufacturers are expected to be expanded from 2025, especially for small and compact cars. Technical progress and falling prices for battery systems could help reduce the range of range of consumers.

The charging infrastructure already offers numerous options to optimize charging costs. A wide range is covered with normalcare columns, quick and ultra-fast charging stations. However, loading prices vary depending on the location, charging capacity and provider, and intelligent navigation systems help users to calculate the best loading times.

Overall, developments in Rhineland-Palatinate and beyond a positive future for electromobility, although numerous challenges have to be mastered in order to exploit the full potential of e-mobility.