First Report: Public Charging Stations Appear in Offenbach, Total of 46
Offenbach, Germany, has taken a significant step towards promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption with the installation of its first public charging station. The charging station, an AC unit with a capacity of 22 kW, was put into operation by EVO at the end of 2023 [1].
Since then, three operating companies—Qwello, Energieversorgung Offenbach (EVO), and EZE Network—have been awarded a contract to build public charging stations in Offenbach [2]. The city has divided its area into 40 sub-areas, with each sub-area to be operated exclusively by one of the operating companies, following the "Polygon principle" [3].
Currently, a total of 46 charging points have been erected at 20 locations across the city, with plans for up to 50 public locations throughout Offenbach [4]. However, it's essential to note that this is not a rigid upper limit. The city continues to aim for this number, but the exact expansion plans and their timeline through the end of 2024 remain unclear [5].
The city has established guidelines to ensure that the offer of charging stations always meets demand and that charging stations are only erected on public areas that are suitable for the long term [6]. The city will provide suitable public areas for the erection of E-charging stations, but will not bear any economic risk [7].
Mayor Sabine Groß has stated that the concept for the expansion of charging infrastructure is designed to accommodate an increasing demand from the beginning and enables demand-oriented expansion [8]. The city hopes that charging devices will be installed at various locations, such as parking lots of construction markets, supermarkets, employers, and private households [9].
The operating companies can continuously submit further applications for the special use of public space if there is a need for further expansion due to high utilization of charging stations [10]. This flexible approach allows for the growth of the charging infrastructure to meet the demands of the city's growing EV community.
While the city does not provide information on the performance of the charging stations or the models used, it's clear that Offenbach is committed to promoting e-mobility and providing its residents with accessible charging solutions. For detailed and current local information about public charging infrastructure development in Offenbach, consulting Offenbach city planning documents, local utility providers, or municipal announcements would be necessary.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6] [7] [Source 7] [8] [Source 8] [9] [Source 9] [10] [Source 10]
Science and technology are playing significant roles in Offenbach's eco-friendly transition, especially in the field of environmental science, as the city expands its network of charging stations for electric vehicles. Operating companies like Qwello, Energieversorgung Offenbach (EVO), and EZE Network are tasked with installing charging stations in various locations following the Polygon principle, with 46 charging points already erected at 20 locations across the city.
