Energy reform is the big demand for the next day, all over the planet. The pioneering energy reform program of Astypalea, which is expected to be the first "smart" and "green" island in the Mediterranean, is expected to provide answers to this big question mark.
How Astypalea will become green with the cooperation of Volkswagen
The German carmaker Volkswagen and the Greek government believe that pollution-free transportation with energy from renewable sources is possible from now on and for this reason the two sides agreed to proceed with the implementation of the Astypalea experiment. This project aspires to make the island energy independent, mainly through the replacement of the current transport system with the use of electric vehicles and the production of renewable energy.
In particular, the project includes the gradual replacement of conventional private and public use vehicles on the island with electric ones, the introduction of innovative transport and transportation services, as well as the production of energy from RES, without a negative ecological footprint, in replacement of current oil generators.
At the heart of the project is a completely new, advanced transport system including:
Τρα incentives to replace conventional electric vehicles with a financing program. In total, about 1.000 electric vehicles are set to replace about 1.500 vehicles with internal combustion engines.
● public utility vehicles as well as utility vehicles on the island - police, EKAB and public sector - which will be replaced by electric ones with the help of the Volkswagen Group.
● necessary infrastructure works for the implementation of an integrated vehicle charging network
● services on-demand public transport, through digital applications, which will allow residents and visitors greater freedom in their movements car sharing services, e-mopeds and e-bikes that citizens can use at any time of the day.
● The Hellenic Republic will ensure the existence of quality road infrastructure, excellent signage and sufficient data regarding traffic and weather conditions to ensure safe and inclusive transportation that will ultimately lead to autonomous driving.
"Landing" of Volkswagen electric vehicles
On Wednesday morning, 6 months after the signing of a memorandum of the car industry with the Greek government, the first electric vehicles are delivered to the municipality, port and police, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The island's 1.500 vehicles will gradually be replaced with electric ones. The Greek State will subsidize the purchase of electric cars with 12.000 euros, will offer attractive financing programs and will contribute to the creation of charging infrastructure. It will also undertake to replace the existing thermal power station with a hybrid one, which will operate from Renewable Energy Sources, and also to improve all the island's infrastructure.
Volkswagen in turn will replace all state and municipal vehicles free of charge, will offer buyers its electric cars at a cost price, will support the operation of a car sharing mechanism, will create and support the operation of an on-demand transportation system, while from 2026 will implement autonomous driving on the island.
After Astypalea, another island of the Dodecanese, Halki, is expected to take over the green remodeling. According to information from Capital.gr, this island has been selected by the Greek government in collaboration with the interested French companies Citroen, Vinci Energie and Akuo Energy Greece in order to develop actions that will make it energy autonomous with a neutral environmental footprint and parallel penetration. electric in inland and inland transport.
The project includes the installation of a hybrid RES station and energy storage station with the ultimate goal of energy autonomy of the island, fully covering the needs of residents and businesses, the electrification of the island fleet by replacing old vehicles with electric cars, bicycles and bicycles as well as the integration of intelligent electric lighting systems on the island, while for the first time part of the electrification of the movements will be the maritime transport with floating means of zero carbon footprint.
The transition to a climate neutral society is so urgent challenge as well as an opportunity to build a better future for everyone and the aforementioned moves of the Greek government move in this direction. At the same time they are fully aligned with the EU's goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 – an economy with zero greenhouse gas emissions. This goal is at the heart of the European Green Deal and is consistent with the EU's commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement.
