Germany Goes Electric

Let’s face it, Germany has always been somewhat of a step ahead of us in terms of maintaining their cars.  We have periodic inspections for emissions, but they have inspections for all these points:

• Braking systems
• Frame and bodywork
• Exhaust system
• Steering and steering wheel
• Lighting and light-signalling devices
• Wheels and types
• Rear-view mirrors and other visual aids
• Seatbelts

Zoiks!  For reasons way beyond air pollution, they don’t want junkers on the road.  After all, they need cars that can safely “fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn”.

 

Well now they’re taking another step forward.  Germany is ordering all gas stations in the country to add electric car charging stations.  It’s part of a large-scale stimulus plan to boost demand for electric cars.

Officials say putting chargers in every station will help reduce “range anxiety”, where consumers fear they’ll be stuck without a charging station nearby.  I know that would be one of my sticking points for getting an all electric car.  I might be more inclined if there were more — a lot more — charging stations around.

So hats off, or should I say “hut ab!” to Germany!