Volkswagen starts mobility services on Astypalea, marking next step in Greek island’s electrification

New solar system to supply the e-fleet

The energy system will be gradually transformed to renewable energy from local sources. Today, a second solar system was put into operation, supplying the current e-fleet with green energy. Furthermore, the Hellenic Republic has issued a call for tenders today for the further transformation of the energy system. By 2023, a new solar park will provide about 3 megawatt of green energy, covering 100 percent of the energy needed to charge the electric vehicles and more than 50 percent of the islands overall energy demand. By 2026, the new energy system will be further expanded to more than 80 percent of the total energy demand. Up until now, the island has been supplied with electricity from diesel generators.

According to preliminary results from a first survey, people on Astypalea are very interested in electric vehicles and smart mobility services. More than 65 percent of the respondents said they are generally willing to switch to an electric vehicle, if there are purchase grants. While environmental friendliness is the most important advantage of electric vehicles, there are, however, also concerns about costs and

charging infrastructure. Ridesharing and vehicle sharing could significantly change mobility behavior. Almost 50 percent of respondents said that under certain conditions they will consider giving up their own vehicle and switch to using the new mobility services.

The survey was conducted in summer 2021, with in total 221 people taking part. The complete first interim report will be published in the second half of the year. Scientists from the University of the Aegean (Greece) and the University of Strathclyde (Scotland) are monitoring and evaluating the project over several years.

The "Smart & Sustainable Island" project intends to provide a deeper understanding of the transformation of an entire system. Within five years, Astypalea is to be largely converted to sustainable mobility and energy – with purely electric vehicles, smart mobility services and a green hybrid energy system. Asytaplea is about the size of Sylt and is visited by around 36,000 tourists every year.