Could there also be e-car driving bans in Germany to prevent a blackout? The network agency has a clear answer.

It is a message that caused a stir this week, not only among electric car owners: In order to prevent a possible blackout, Switzerland is the first country to consider driving bans on electric cars.

Accordingly, several escalation levels are possible, for the third, the draft regulation on restrictions and bans on the use of electrical energy states: “The private use of electric cars is only permitted for absolutely necessary journeys (e.g. professional practice, shopping, visiting the doctor, attending religious events , attending court hearings).”

Quite a few Germans are now asking themselves: Would that also be possible in this country? In the event of a power shortage, do I also have to leave my e-car at home, am I then perhaps not allowed to charge it?

Netzagentur: “No reason for such a consideration”
t-online has asked the Federal Network Agency, which as the supreme federal authority is not only responsible for the gas supply, but also for the stability of the electricity grid. The answer: all clear! “There is currently no reason in Germany to consider such measures,” said a spokeswoman on t-online request.

The German legal situation is also not sufficient for this. Accordingly, the corresponding legal provisions of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) presuppose that the measures taken by the network operators “must be suitable to effectively counteract the respective threat to the electricity supply system”, according to the network agency.

The spokeswoman said: “This can only be decided on a case-by-case basis and given the current low contribution of electromobility to German electricity consumption, it can hardly be assumed. A driving ban or a restriction on the use of e-cars to absolutely necessary journeys could affect the regulations not be supported.” In a nutshell: An approach like the one Switzerland is considering is neither necessary nor possible in Germany.

Around 840,000 electric cars in Germany
One reason for this may also be that the number of e-cars in Germany is still relatively small. Most recently, around 840,000 Stromers were registered in Germany, which corresponds to a market share of 1.3 percent.

In Switzerland, this proportion is only marginally higher. There, 1.5 percent of the cars have an electric drive. However, the composition of the electricity mix in the Alpine Republic differs from that in Germany. In Switzerland, for example, 60 percent of the electricity produced comes from hydropower, 20 percent from nuclear power and ten percent from solar energy.

All of these forms of energy are well suited to serving the base load demand for electricity. For peak demand, for example when many people are cooking at home at the same time – or charging their electric car – Switzerland is often dependent on supplies from abroad.

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Nevertheless, it is unclear to what extent the e-car clause in the Swiss ordinance will apply in practice. The draft regulations are currently only available. In the event of a severe power shortage, the measures would be adapted to the current situation and the ordinances would only then come into force.