Idea
CHALLENGE
The global market share of e-cars (purely battery-powered vehicles) has made a huge step forward in the last decade - a trend that is set to continue exponentially. Thus, electric cars are expected to play a central role in achieving the ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
According to the German government’s coalition agreement between the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the FDP, fifteen million purely electrically powered e-cars are to be on our roads by 2030. According to a resolution passed by the EU Parliament in February 2023, from 2035 onwards only cars that emit no CO2 while driving are to be sold throughout Europe.
However, in order to cope with the increasing number of new registrations of e-vehicles, the charging infrastructure in Germany needs to be expanded. So far, the expansion of the charging infrastructure in Germany has been slower than the growth in electric cars.
According to the figures of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) of 1 October 2023, a total of 108,266 charging stations are registered in operation in Germany. Of these, 87,155 are normal charging points and 21,111 are fast charging points with a capacity of 22 kW or more. The German government's plan is to have 1 million charging points by 2030.
The concept
Hermann Graser had the idea of combining electromobility with natural stone and demonstrating the future-oriented characteristics of this material in a new and highly contemporary product. Now, in collaboration with the lighting and e-module manufacturer RZB and the architecture practice Simone Boldrin Architettura, the Bamberger Natursteinwerk Hermann Graser has developed eMiliarium, a charging point that combines the durability and longevity of granite with the precision of an optimised functional unit and a unique design concept.
The granite used is a regional building material with over 1000 years of building history, whose special sustainability is proven by a minimal ecological footprint. It is able to withstand all technical necessities resulting from environmental influences as a durable monolith. Its patination and ability to age is an essential component of the eMiliarium concept. As a constant shell, granite is able to calmly withstand the ups and downs of technical progress.
And it does so as a material that is already present on site anyway. In this way, the charging station fits into its environment as if it had always been there - and at the same time it is completely new.
