The VW group and the Greek government have agreed to establish a “pioneering mobility system” on the Mediterranean island of Astypalea. To this end, the island’s current transport system is to be converted to electric vehicles and regenerative energies.
In the long term, Astypalea should thus become a model island for climate-neutral mobility. The corresponding declaration of intent was signed today.
At the centre of the project is a transport system with smart mobility services, such as an electric ride-sharing service that operates all year round and is intended to make “today’s still very limited bus traffic” more attractive. Together with local partners, part of the conventional vehicle rental service will also be converted into a car-sharing service that will offer not only electric cars but also Seat’s e-scooters and e-bikes.
These projects alone should significantly reduce the vehicle fleet on the island. In total, around 1,500 vehicles with combustion engines are to be replaced by around 1,000 electric vehicles. Commercial vehicles active in the local economy as well as official vehicles, such as police, ambulances and the fleet of public sector vehicles, are also to be electrified. Volkswagen also plans to install Elli’s wall box chargers throughout the island “to ensure a comprehensive charging infrastructure”.