Berlin: Upheaval

Germany’s history is one of great turmoil. Many nations have been absolved and forgotten after enduring similar trials. However, it seems Germans maintain a resilience that has kept their homeland in the forefront of the global powers for centuries. In an age where all nations are being tested against the same catalyst, it is obvious to assume that Germany is leading the world in their attempt to solve it. Climate change is a global catastrophe that knows no borders and shows no mercy. Nations must ensure their survival through the application of technology to mitigate the effects of climate change. In Berlin, the German focus on sustainability was glaringly apparent. On our train into the city, we saw that the countryside was filled with solar panels and wind turbines. As a country that has converted over 50% of its energy infrastructure to renewables, it is no surprise that its skylines will be filled with wind turbines. Also, the prevalence of electric cars showed that the country was well aligned with its goal of 15 million EVs by 2030. We were shown the infrastructure necessary to support this goal in our visit to Ubertricity.

Ubitricity has been vital in the creation of the current infrastructure supporting the sale of EVs within Germany and England. We were given an inside look into their initial prototype design and the current products on the market. The main benefit of their product is that they require no new electrical infrastructure, and they can be attached directly to street lights and other such electrical mechanisms. One of our hosts was the leading lobbyist for Ubitricity, with a long history of convincing German politicians to approve and promote the company’s efforts. He explained that the political support for EV infrastructure has been exceedingly strong. This has enabled the firm to recognize immense growth in recent years. His lobbying efforts have also been strengthened through the firm’s acquisition by Shell, an oil company looking to establish a foundation for the future of energy infrastructure. Politicians regard climate change as one of the largest issues facing their nation, implementing extensive policies designed to ensure the success of Germany’s renewable energy transition. One such policy is the approval and integration of charging stations such as Ubertricitys into the existing power grid. Although these measures remain promising, the issue of accessibility of EVs remains prevalent. As our host pointed out, the cheapest EVs remain, on average, $20,000 more expensive than a combustion engine vehicle. This raises the issue of income disparity in the German energy transition. Germany’s East remains far less prosperous than the West, with the effects of Soviet rule remaining poignant in East German’s lives. The wall’s fall marked the physical end to division in Germany, yet the socioeconomic effects of division remain today. Our host explained how it will take far longer for East Germany to follow in the transition to EVs as the current price of the technology remains far out of reach. This makes installing EV charging points less economically sensible in the East. Although, the best way to address these disparities is by providing subsidies for the German people. Without the cooperation of every German citizen the energy transition will not work. Making EVs more accessible for those afflicted by the East-West divide is imperative to Germany’s success.