We have had to learn in recent years that electromobility is difficult to get off the ground. But in certain cities, the inhabitants, or more precisely the residents, are realizing that electric vehicles are also difficult to bring to a standstill. At least if they are to stand permanently. While politicians are pushing the market with billions in subsidies and strict CO2 limits, they are slowing down the supposed turnaround with remarkable regulations.

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At least that's how it is, for example, the pioneers in Offenbach, Hesse, who apply for a resident parking permit for one of the ubiquitous SUVs and are increasingly being rejected. If such an SUV runs on electricity, it breaks the boundaries of what is allowed in curb parking. 2.8 tonnes may not be exceeded as a permissible total weight, according to the road traffic regulations, which are read a little more closely by Frankfurt's neighbours than elsewhere. While in the old world only heavyweights such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class or the BMW X7 were affected, battery-powered cars generally tend to be obese and are therefore literally difficult to park. Of course, you can also make it easy with a heavy car. As long as you just feed the parking meter, the pounds for the sidewalk are no problem. At least it is not yet known that police officers in Offenbach and elsewhere look at the scales in addition to the clock.

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However, if you want to park your car permanently as a resident, the authorities will send you to the Weight Watchers. And they show that there are no inhumans there in Offenbach, even within limits generously. In the present case, there is an exemption for three months. And after that? Bad luck. Side note of administrative efficiency: The residents' parking permit is issued by the public order office, the goodwill is granted by the citizens' office. Which is why the citizen has to pay twice. There is no doubt that it is a good intention for the authorities to want to protect the pavements from damage. If they secure parking space for private individuals and tend to sort out commercial vehicles as a precaution. But just because an electric car, like a pickup truck, is regularly charged, does not make it a commercial vehicle. At some point, the official mold will certainly have gotten used to the battery-powered car. As long as this applies: All beginnings are difficult.