here, electric cars with a parking disc can park for two hours – even without charging?, photo: ADAC nordrhein
In 16 German state capitals, the ADAC checked the current parking/charging regulations at e-charging stations and their signs. The result is a big difference, partly the automobile club speaks of a "sign confusion. In dusseldorf, too, there is a need for action in order to establish clear and legally secure regulations, the study found.
examination in 16 state capitals
The ADAC surveyed local authorities on their current parking and charging regulations. The survey covered who is allowed to park and/or charge at public e-charging points, what the maximum permitted parking/charging duration is, whether parking fees are charged and whether there are rights of use for car-sharing vehicles. The survey was conducted in june and november 2021. The conclusion: "The regulations in the cities surveyed differed considerably. This also applies to the sometimes even legally disputed signage. The only thing we agreed on was that there was no charge for the parking itself".
Prof. Dr. Roman suthold, expert for electromobility at ADAC nordrhein, emphasizes: "there is a real confusion of signs! No one can see through this anymore, especially not the consumer. In some cases, the signage is contradictory or even legally controversial due to incorrect combinations of different signs. This is also true for dusseldorf".
An example of an e-charging station on ulmenstrasse in dusseldorf, photo: ADAC nordrhein
situation in dusseldorf
In dusseldorf, electric cars with and without E-plates are allowed to park at charging stations, which is otherwise only allowed in berlin, dresden, magdeburg and stuttgart. The ADAC discovered a contradiction in the signage of the expressway stations. There hangs under the blue parking sign the symbol "vehicle with plug". In the electromobility law (emog), however, it is used to identify a parking space with an e-license plate requirement.
At normal charging stations, the city of dusseldorf uses the verbal addition "electric vehicles free during charging" under the "no stopping" sign. However, the ADAC criticizes that the legal binding nature of such additional signs in the Road Traffic Act is controversial and leaves room for interpretation. Whether a plugged-in charging cable is sufficient or whether electricity actually has to flow is a matter of interpretation. It is also unclear which regulations apply if the vehicle is already fully charged but is still parked.
Pure parking without charging your e-vehicle is prohibited in dusseldorf, just like in hannover, magdeburg, mainz and stuttgart. During the charging process, the maximum parking time at fast-charging stations in dusseldorf is one hour. Users must display a parking disc. Only in stuttgart and soon also in berlin is it possible to charge for an unrestricted period at fast-charging stations. At normal charging stations, there is no parking time limit during charging in dusseldorf. Charges are not levied for the parking itself.
"the survey shows that there is a lack of clarity not only among users about rules and signage at public e-charging stations, but also in some cases among the municipalities themselves," says roman suthold. "but you can’t just blame the cities for the problem. Administrations themselves are often not happy with the current regulations. The various legal requirements are far too vague and open to interpretation. There is a need for action here."that’s why the ADAC expert demands: "if the regulations on charging and parking at electric charging stations are to be understood and accepted by consumers, the signs must be unmistakably clear."according to ADAC, this is also not the case when the blue parking sign is combined with the verbal additional sign "free for electric vehicles". In the legal sense, electric vehicles are excluded from the parking permit here.
The ADAC demands:
- Develop legally compliant signage that, for example, permits parking of e-vehicles at public e-charging stations only when in charging mode
- Create a clear definition of the term "in the charging state" so that charging processes can be identified and sanctions can be imposed in the event of violations
- Limit charging period and signpost charging station accordingly, as long as the term "in charging state" is unclear
- Allow parking with simultaneous charging for all e-vehicles (even without e-plates)
- Avoid contradictory signs
Background
At least 15 million electric vehicles are to be registered in germany by 2030 according to the coalition agreement of the new federal government. According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), as of 1. October 2021 a total of 21 e-vehicles (incl. Plug-in hybrids) one charging station – trend increasing. A nationwide charging network is considered a prerequisite for the breakthrough of e-mobility in germany.
In dusseldorf, as of 1. according to the federal network agency, there will be 378 normal charging points and 45 fast charging points by January 2022, and according to the city, a total of 5882 purely electric cars. In addition, there are several thousand plug-in hybrids (exact number at 1.1.2022 not yet communicated; value 1.1.2021: 4540). The number of electric cars per charging point (incl. plug-in hybrids) is thus significantly higher in dusseldorf than the national average.