In critical moments, everything has to work - even if the network fails.
For the Bern Cantonal Police, operational readiness is the top priority in any situation. A key question therefore arises in the course of electrifying its vehicle fleet:
How can charging infrastructure remain reliable, even during blackouts or grid instability?
To answer this question, the Bern Cantonal Police launched a pilot project together with me energy this summer.
As emergency fleets transition to electric vehicles, the demand for reliable, always-available charging becomes critical. When police vehicles rely on electricity, that energy must be as dependable as their mission.
“As a blue-light organization, we must remain operational at all times — even during blackouts,” explains the Bern Cantonal Police Fleet Management team.
The Rapid Charger 150 is therefore part of a year-long pilot project across four police locations. The goal: to test the operational reliability of autonomous charging infrastructure and gather data to design a blackout-proof charging concept — a foundation for the future rollout of e-mobility within the operational fleet.
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The path to the pilot project began with a market clarification study commissioned by the Bern Cantonal Police. The focus was on deployment scenarios for blackouts, grid stability and operational safety - precisely the issues that are crucial for organizations with critical infrastructure.
The Rapid Charger 150 was chosen because of its independent energy generation and the technical depth of the product : the Rapid Charger impressed as a mobile, ready-to-use rapid charging solution that can be operated without a grid connection and still meets all requirements in terms of charging power and reliability.
"The 12-month pilot with Rapid Chargers at four sites provides the evidence base for a robust blackout charging concept and forms the foundation for deploying e-mobility in operational service. During normal operation, AC/DC grid charging continues as usual — complemented by clear priorities and reliable operational processes."
- Fleet management cantonal police Bern
The pilot project will run for twelve months and comprises four locations with different operational profiles.
Not only the technical performance of the Rapid Charger is being tested, but also operational processes, prioritization chains and data flows.
The knowledge gained will then be incorporated into a strategic charging concept for blackout cases. This should enable the cantonal police to continue operating its entire e-fleet in the future, even in the event of large-scale grid disruptions or outages.
During normal operations, the Bern police will continue to use the existing AC and DC infrastructure - the Rapid Charger will supplement this as a self-sufficient backup solution and can be activated immediately in an emergency.
Even in a country with an energy supply as robust as Switzerland, grid stability is no longer a foregone conclusion. With the expansion of electromobility, the increase in decentralized generation and the rising demand for electricity, the demands on the grid are growing rapidly. Local voltage dips or bottlenecks are increasingly occurring, particularly at peak load times or in regions with weaker infrastructure.
While minor for private users, such fluctuations can pose a serious risk for critical infrastructure — where downtime is not an option.
Here, the Rapid Charger 150 provides a robust solution: it generates power on-site, CO₂-neutrally, and independently. This ensures full charging capability even when the grid is unstable, overloaded, or offline.
The Rapid Charger 150 is more than just a fast charger - it is a mobile energy source that enables independence.
With a charging capacity of up to 150 kW, it can get vehicles ready for use again in no time at all. Its integrated energy system based on bioethanol ensures that the energy supply remains secure even under extreme conditions.
It can be put into operation within a few hours, does not require a grid connection and can therefore be flexibly relocated or operated temporarily - ideal for organizations that have high demands on availability, mobility and sustainability.
The pilot project of the Bern Cantonal Police demonstrates what sustainability in electromobility really means: not just faster or greener charging - but remaining reliable, self-sufficient and ready for use, even when the grid reaches its limits.
The Bern Cantonal Police are thus demonstrating a true pioneering spirit - and showing that sustainable mobility and operational safety can go hand in hand.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact us at info@meenergy.earth - we will also be happy to put you in touch with the project managers at the Bern Cantonal Police.