Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG starts series production of charging stations

The first legally compliant AC charging stations from its subsidiary Amperfied GmbH have been delivered to customers by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, thereby starting series production. The "connect.public" model offers two charging points with a capacity of up to 22 kW per charging point and is thus suitable for public parking spaces, businesses, retail, hospitality, and municipalities. Its TÜV-certified barrier-free design also allows relatively easy access for people with mobility impairments.

"Around one-third of car drivers in Germany report not having a permanent parking space near their residence. They depend on public and semi-public charging infrastructure. Therefore, it is important to expand infrastructure for the public sector after providing charging stations for private homes," emphasizes Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.

With around 100,000 registered public charging stations today, availability is still far from meeting the demand.

Davide Ghione, CEO of Amperfied GmbH, adds: "The design of the connect.public enables quick commissioning and economical operation, which significantly reduces barriers on the provider side."

Since the start of series production, Amperfied GmbH has delivered charging stations to customers such as the e-mobility provider deer GmbH, the citizen energy cooperative BürgeEnergieGenossenschaft Kraichgau eG, and CEV Technologies d.o.o.

TÜV-certified barrier-free access and easy operation

Connect.public is barrier-free according to DIN 18040-3 and is the first charging station to bear the "DIN-tested barrier-free" mark from TÜV Rheinland. Its ergonomic design allows wheelchair users to easily reach and operate the charging ports, display, and RFID identification field.

Usage is simple and intuitive via RFID card, QR code, or charging app (depending on the operator). The 10” color display provides additional instructions and shows the current charging status. Additionally, connect.public is ready for Plug & Charge according to ISO 15118: plug in the cable and the charging station automatically recognizes the vehicle and the associated charging contract.

Prepared for Upcoming Credit Card Terminal Requirement

The connect.public is prepared for the requirements of the German Charging Station Regulation (LSV), which mandates a credit card terminal for so-called ad-hoc charging starting from July 1, 2024. An optional external card terminal enables spontaneous charging without registration or an app – contactless via credit, debit card, or mobile payment. The terminal can control any number of charging points and supports common OCPP backends. Moreover, the installation of the column is cost-effective, and it offers high compatibility with common backend systems.