The mobility of the long run is already turning into a actuality on the Greek island of Astypalea. The ridesharing service “ASTYBUS” and the automobile sharing service “astyGO” have been put into operation as we speak in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess. Both mobility services are working completely with totally electrical autos and guarantee considerably improved mobility on the island in comparison with the earlier public transport system. It’s the next step in the transformation of Astypalea: By 2026, the island needs to change to sensible, sustainable mobility and fully modernize its vitality system. The joint undertaking of the Volkswagen Group and the Hellenic Republic serves as a future laboratory for a speedy decarbonization in Europe.
Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group: “The discussion about the shift from fossil fuels to renewables has gained new momentum in Europe. Volkswagen is a driver of change, leading the transformation to e-mobility in Europe. Here on Astypalea, we are introducing new mobility services as the next step towards the future of transportation. It’s exciting to see the project grow, with people willing to change their habits. It demonstrates that a rapid transformation to green mobility and green energy is feasible if businesses and governments work hand in hand.”
Kostas Frangogiannis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness: “The project of Astypalea reflects all the comparative advantages of today’s Greece, that is, how the traditional natural wealth and the precious human capital of the country, can, with the support of a political leadership facing the future and its challenges, with an open eye and with vision, bring the country to the world forefront. I am very proud of what we have achieved so far, for the citizens of Astypalea and for the whole country, especially at a time when the need to diversify and move away from traditional energy sources has become even more urgent, globally. A warm thank you to all the supporters of the effort, to the government, to the local authorities, to the business world and to the citizens who dare.”
Smart, all-electric mobility services
The sensible mobility services substitute a standard bus line, which has to this point provided restricted public transport on Astypalea. Unlike the bus line, the mobility services can be in operation all 12 months spherical and can join many extra locations on the island. The ASTYBUS ridesharing service will begin operation with 5 autos of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz1 as soon as the mannequin has been launched in autumn 2022. Until then, the service can be operated with the ID.42. Via the automobile sharing service astyGO, prospects can lease electrical vehicles from Volkswagen in addition to e-scooters from SEAT MÓ and e-bikes from Ducati. All autos will be booked by way of smartphone and the built-in astyMOVE app.
The variety of electrical autos on Astypalea is rising constantly. After the police, airport authorities and the municipality switched to e-mobility final 12 months, now Greece’s first electrical ambulance is being added. A primary e-taxi transports prospects throughout the island and not too long ago, the primary personal buyer obtained his ID.33. The Hellenic Republic promotes the swap to e-mobility with engaging buy premiums.
New photo voltaic system to provide the e-fleet
The vitality system can be steadily remodeled to renewable vitality from native sources. Today, a second photo voltaic system was put into operation, supplying the present e-fleet with inexperienced vitality. Furthermore, the Hellenic Republic has issued a name for tenders as we speak for the additional transformation of the vitality system. By 2023, a brand new photo voltaic park will present about 3 megawatt of inexperienced vitality, overlaying one hundred pc of the vitality wanted to cost the electrical autos and greater than 50 p.c of the islands general vitality demand. By 2026, the brand new vitality system can be additional expanded to greater than 80 p.c of the whole vitality demand. Up till now, the island has been provided with electrical energy from diesel turbines.
Academic research: High curiosity in e-mobility and sensible mobility services
According to preliminary outcomes from a primary survey, individuals on Astypalea are very in electrical autos and sensible mobility services. More than 65 p.c of the respondents stated they’re usually prepared to change to an electrical automobile, if there are buy grants. While environmental friendliness is an important benefit of electrical autos, there are, nonetheless, additionally considerations about prices and charging infrastructure. Ridesharing and automobile sharing might considerably change mobility habits. Almost 50 p.c of respondents stated that underneath sure circumstances they’ll take into account giving up their very own automobile and swap to utilizing the brand new mobility services.
The survey was carried out in summer time 2021, with in complete 221 individuals collaborating. The full first interim report can be revealed in the second half of the 12 months. Scientists from the University of the Aegean (Greece) and the University of Strathclyde (Scotland) are monitoring and evaluating the undertaking over a number of years.
The “Smart & Sustainable Island” undertaking intends to offer a deeper understanding of the transformation of a complete system. Within 5 years, Astypalea is to be largely transformed to sustainable mobility and vitality – with purely electrical autos, sensible mobility services and a inexperienced hybrid vitality system. Asytaplea is in regards to the measurement of Sylt and is visited by round 36,000 vacationers yearly.
1.) ID. Buzz Pro: Power consumption in kWh/100 km: mixed 18.9 (NEDC); mixed 21.7-20.6 (WLTP); CO₂ emissions mixed in g/km: 0; effectivity class: A+++
2.) ID.4 – energy consumption in kWh/100 km (NEDC): mixed 16.3; CO2 emissions in g/km: 0; effectivity class: A+++
3.) ID.3 – mixed energy consumption in kWh/100 km (NEDC): 14.0-13.7, CO2 emissions in g/km: 0; effectivity class: A+++