Only for civil servants: Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (left) and BLB boss Frank Duckwitz with the fast charging station on the Potsdam government premises Photo: Maro Niemann/BLB
By Michael Sauerbier
Brandenburg’s government is treating itself to something: the state has purchased expensive fast charging stations for electric cars. But only for his officials – from our tax money.
A gray block the size of a container recently stood in front of the Neuruppin Justice Center. The “Rapid Charger 150” can charge two e-cars simultaneously within 30 minutes. Without power connection. He makes the energy himself – from bioethanol.
Perfect in remote locations where a power line is missing. But the state construction company BLB set up the mobile loaders in front of authorities in Potsdam and Neuruppin. Unit price: 150,000 euros. Cottbus, Eberswalde and Frankfurt(Oder) are to follow.
The state company charges 45 cents per kilowatt hour for its official cars. But: “The station cannot be used by the public,” complain e-car drivers on the Internet. Customers pay 49 cents at the Stadtwerke pillar, non-customers 59 cents.
The expensive charging containers are manufactured by the small start-up company “me energy” in Wildau. The country paid a lot of subsidies for the development. “I recommended the company for the authorities’ centers,” says Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (66, SPD). Unbelievable: the expensive columns were procured without a tender!
Reason: “In the event of a widespread power failure, the e-service vehicles can continue to be refueled independently of the network.”.