Electrical autos are in all places, zipping by metropolis streets with quiet confidence, however charging them stays a puzzle. Dwelling chargers work for these with garages, and fast-charging stations dot highways, however what about metropolis dwellers parked on busy streets? Rheinmetall, a German firm recognized extra for tanks than tech, has a intelligent reply: a charger constructed proper into the curb. After a year-long pilot in Cologne, Germany, this unassuming innovation is able to reshape how we energy EVs in city jungles.
Rheinmetall’s Curb Charger is as sensible as it’s refined. It’s a Stage 2 charger—able to delivering as much as 22 kilowatts of energy by a 400-volt three-phase connection—disguised as a curbstone. In contrast to cumbersome charging poles that hog sidewalk house, this 176-pound block of aluminum and chrome steel blends into the streetscape. Drivers plug in their very own cable, a design alternative that retains issues modern since most EVs include appropriate cords. A smartphone app, QR code, or RFID card prompts the charger, making it as user-friendly as ordering espresso. “Our product integrates the charger electronics into a normal kerbstone to allow the charging of electrical autos immediately on the roadside—with out obstructive bollards, intrusion into the pedestrian space, or compromises by way of security or aesthetics,” says Christoph Müller, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Energy Methods division.
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Sturdiness is a standout function. City environments are harsh—rain, snow, and reckless drivers are unforgiving. The Curb Charger boasts an IP68 ranking, that means it may possibly sit in over three ft of water for half-hour with out flinching. Constructed-in drains hold it practical throughout downpours, whereas a cooling system prevents overheating in summer season warmth, and a heater ensures it really works in freezing winters. Throughout Cologne’s pilot, 4 models achieved 99% uptime, powering over 2,800 charging periods—roughly two per day per charger—delivering about 50 megawatt-hours of power, sufficient for 120 kilometers of vary per session.
Upkeep is one other win. The Curb Charger’s modular design, with its CurbSwap connector, lets operators swap out defective models in minutes, minimizing downtime. Cities can now slap down “dummy curbs” and package them out with charging modules later as electrical car demand ramps up—a intelligent, scalable repair for the city house crunch. Previous-school chargers hog valuable sidewalk actual property, usually needing cumbersome bollards to maintain them protected. Rheinmetall’s strategy is sneakier, weaving charging tech proper into the concrete that’s already there, no further litter required. “That is how we’re contributing to the mobility transition with revolutionary options,” Müller provides. “City charging infrastructure is rethought: space-saving, sturdy, barrier-free—and built-in into current city buildings.”
Cologne’s year-long trial, launched in April 2024 with TankE GmbH and town, proved the idea. 4 chargers in Cologne-Lindenthal dealt with real-world situations with ease, from torrential rain to sub-zero nights. They weren’t simply practical; they have been common, averaging 19 kilowatt-hours per cost. Drivers appreciated the seamless integration—no tripping over cables, no parking hassles. Ascan Egerer, Cologne’s Alderman for Mobility, famous, “We’re a metropolis in transition and wish to actively form trendy, environmentally pleasant mobility. For us, the curb charger has the nice benefit as it may be used within the current infrastructure of the general public highway house.”
Every unit has a 4G modem, Ethernet port, and helps the OCPP 1.6 customary for real-time knowledge on charging periods and distant software program updates. This isn’t only a charger; it’s a sensible node in a metropolis’s power grid. Whereas it lacks the uncooked pace of Stage 3 quick chargers, its 22-kilowatt output is lots for in a single day or workday top-ups, excellent for house dwellers or commuters.
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