The air in Ramersdorf, a district in Munich, is thick not with the usual scent of blossoming spring, but with palpable frustration. Ernst Meister (56) and his wife Susanne (56), a dedicated installer couple, find themselves in an unexpected battle with the city’s mobility department. The core of the dispute? A mere 2.5-meter stretch of sidewalk and the cable connecting their eco-friendly company vehicles to their wallbox.
The Green Dream Meets Bureaucratic Hurdles
Seven years ago, the Meisters embarked on a journey towards a greener future for their family business. They acquired their first electric vehicle, a decision soon followed by two more, with a fourth on its way. Simultaneously, they invested in solar panels for the roof of their company building on Klagenfurter Straße. “We wanted to avoid potential diesel driving bans and do something for climate protection,” Ernst Meister explains, his voice tinged with disappointment.
However, their commendable efforts have been met with an unforeseen obstacle. To charge their fleet, the Meisters installed a wallbox on their house wall. Their company vehicles, parked approximately eight meters away on the street, require a ten-meter cable to reach the charging point. “We have to stretch it across the sidewalk temporarily,” Susanne Meister clarifies. “To prevent anyone from tripping, we use a cable bridge.” This seemingly innocuous solution, designed with public safety in mind, has now become the epicenter of their conflict with the city.
A Police Letter, a Fine, and a Threat of Departure
The first sign of trouble arrived on February 19th, when the Meisters received a letter from the police. “A man had reported us because he felt hindered by our cable bridge,” Susanne Meister recounts. Now, they face a 100 Euro fine, additional fees, and a point on their driving license in Flensburg. In response, Susanne Meister immediately contacted the city, requesting permission to temporarily lay their cable across the sidewalk for a few hours each day.
The answer from Munich’s Mobility Department was unequivocal: no. They stated that laying a cable across a sidewalk constitutes a “non-approvable” special use. Electric vehicles, they insisted, must be charged on private property or at public charging stations.
Safety Concerns vs. Tradespeople’s Plight
A spokesperson for the city confirmed their stance upon inquiry: “The cable is a potential tripping hazard and poses a safety risk. Even makeshift constructions such as mats placed over the cable, cable bridges, or similar devices do not change this, as they would significantly impair the barrier-free use of the sidewalk. This can create an insurmountable obstacle, especially for people with limited mobility.”
Susanne Meister is, understandably, truly “charged” about the situation. She points out that the nearest public charging stations are several streets away, making them impractical for their daily operations. The city’s rigid position feels like pure harassment to her. “We are deeply rooted Ramersdorfers and native Munich residents. But this ‘live and let live’ attitude from before, it no longer exists today. When you constantly have such hurdles thrown your way, and as a tradesperson, you’re only allowed to pay business tax, then enough is enough. We are considering moving out of the city.”
The Meisters’ predicament highlights a growing tension between urban planning, environmental initiatives, and the practical realities faced by small businesses. As Munich strives to become a greener city, the question arises: at what cost to its local tradespeople?
The couple, who have dedicated their lives to their craft and their community, now face a difficult choice. Stay and fight a seemingly insurmountable bureaucratic wall, or leave the city they call home in search of a more accommodating environment for their sustainable business practices. The outcome of their struggle may well serve as a bellwether for other tradespeople navigating the complexities of urban life and green transitions.
