Electric vehicle charging infrastructure development planned by Bremen Senate, with unique framework concepts playing a significant role
Bremen Boosts Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure with Urban Hubs
The city of Bremen has taken a significant step towards promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption with the opening of an ultra-fast charging Urban Hub in the third quarter of 2023. This initiative, a collaboration between bp pulse and APCOA, marks the beginning of a broader expansion of EV charging infrastructure in the city.
The new Urban Hub, located in Bremen, is equipped to serve at least six vehicles simultaneously, operating 24/7. It offers amenities such as driver lounges, free Wi-Fi, phone charging points, and refreshments to enhance user convenience. This hub is part of a strategic plan to install over 100 EV fast charging hubs in city centers across Europe, leveraging APCOA’s car parks to transform them into multifunctional Urban Hubs offering integrated mobility and technology services.
Publicly accessible areas, including supermarkets and parking facilities, play a significant role in this expansion. Car parks managed by APCOA—often adjacent or connected to retail and commercial locations—are being adapted into these Urban Hubs, contributing to increased charging availability in convenient, high-traffic locations. Digital solutions via apps enable users to locate, book, access, and pay for charging and parking smoothly, including automatic barrier control based on vehicle approach.
Senator Özlem Ünsal, in an explanation, stated that this increasing offer in the charging infrastructure area will enable broad sections of the population to charge electric vehicles reliably. The strategy aims to establish a demand-oriented, comprehensive, and efficient basic supply of publicly accessible charging infrastructure for passenger cars in all districts in a socially just manner.
The strategy includes a newly developed special use concept for determining the required number of charging points in "search spaces" throughout the city. A final decision by the Bremen Citizens' Assembly on this strategy is scheduled for 17 September 2024.
The charging infrastructure expansion in Bremen does not only focus on the public streetscape but also encompasses privately owned areas that are publicly accessible. Proposals from councillors and wishes from citizens can be included in future planning of the charging infrastructure. The strategy's approach reduces administrative effort associated with the city-wide expansion of charging infrastructure. Economically attractive and less attractive search spaces will be bundled together to ensure a uniform distribution of charging infrastructure throughout the entire city.
The charging infrastructure in Bremen, as shown in the Focke Museum, is planned for expansion. A comprehensive strategy has been developed for the expansion of charging infrastructure in the public streetscape of Bremen, aiming to provide a reliable charging option for electric vehicles, even for those without a private parking space and charging box, with short distances. The strategy for expanding charging infrastructure in Bremen was adopted by the Bremen Senate on 3 September.
- The charging infrastructure expansion in Bremen extends to privately owned areas that are publicly accessible, considering suggestions from councillors and demands from citizens in future planning.
- Besides the public streetscape, the expansion strategy for charging infrastructure in Bremen also encompasses finance and industry collaborations, such as the partnership between bp pulse and APCOA for the development of Urban Hubs.
- In line with the strategic plan, electric vehicles (EVs) will benefit from increasing charging availability in public-transit areas, like supermarkets and parking facilities, which are integrated with city centers across Europe.
- Integrated technology services, including digital solutions via apps, aim to streamline the process of locating, booking, accessing, and paying for charging and parking, thereby improving the lifestyle of EV users in Bremen. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes the deployment of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure for transportation, with a particular focus on the convenience of various sections of the population.
