Düsseldorf sets new precedent with the launch of its groundbreaking loading dock system
Düsseldorf Pioneers Kerb Chargers for Electric Vehicles
Düsseldorf, Germany, is taking a significant step forward in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) with the serial production and public availability of kerb (curb) chargers. While the initiative is currently in an early adoption phase, at least six kerb chargers, known locally as ladebordsteine, have been installed by the municipal utility Düsseldorf Stadtwerke.
These next-generation EV charging solutions are integrated into the kerbside, addressing urban space limitations and improving convenience for electric car users. With only two panels visible on a strip of new kerb, they are less intrusive than traditional upright chargers.
The city of Düsseldorf has demonstrated an early rollout stage with the installation of these chargers near Derendorfer Alle 19. This move is seen as a solution that combines aesthetic discretion and functional urban charging infrastructure, with local officials and the mayor supporting the technology as a way to boost public acceptance of electric mobility.
The kerb chargers have been developed by Rheinmetall's innovation lab, a company traditionally supplying the automotive industry. The aim is to overcome hurdles to EV adoption linked to secure and convenient charging. The cooperation between the Rheinmetall group and Düsseldorf's municipal utilities on the charging kerb demonstrates the potential of combining municipal expertise and technological innovation.
By late autumn 2025, more charging kerbs are set to follow at Metrostraße. By summer 2025, the municipal utilities will operate a total of 4,000 charging points, with about a third of these being publicly accessible. The first fast-charging park with a photovoltaic canopy is expected to open at Fahrstraße in Düsseldorf.
This initiative is part of a pioneering spirit that has driven the expansion of charging infrastructure in Düsseldorf for the past ten years. The city started with the first public charging station for electric mobility on Frankenstraße ten years ago. Christoph Müller, CEO of the Rheinmetall Division Power Systems, highlights the importance of strong partnerships in creating the mobility of the future. Dr. Charlotte Beissel, CEO of Düsseldorf's municipal utilities, emphasizes the ongoing expansion of charging infrastructure in the state capital.
The charging kerbs have now reached series production maturity and have received certification confirming they meet the requirements of the German Measuring Instruments Act (MessEG) and its associated ordinance (MessEV). The serial production and public availability of these kerb chargers aim to improve the quality of life in Düsseldorf by making EV charging more convenient and accessible.
- By serial producing and making the environmental-science innovation of kerb chargers available to the public, Düsseldorf's technological advancement in the field of electric vehicles is expected to further boost the quality of life and public acceptance of environmental-science centered mobility.
- The city's commitment to creating a functional urban charging infrastructure, as demonstrated by the Kirchplatz installation, highlights the importance of seamlessly integrating science and technology into everyday life, enhancing the convenience of electric vehicle users and promoting the adoption of environmental-science focused solutions.
