Volkswagen starts providing mobility services in Astypalea, marking the next step in the use of electricity on the island
- The Astypalea - Smart and Sustainable Island project serves as a laboratory for future mobility and rapid carbon emissions in Europe
- The new mobility services "ASTYBUS" and "astyGO" replace the conventional bus line, improving mobility for both residents and visitors to the island
- Second solar collector system put into operation, supplying electric cars with green electricity
- Academic study: Early preliminary results show high interest in e-mobility and mobility services
- Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess: "Rapid transformation into green mobility and energy is possible if businesses and governments work closely together"
The mobility of the future is already becoming a reality on the Greek island of Astypalea. In the presence of the Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the CEO of Volkswagen Mr. Herbert Diess, the ridesharing service "ASTYBUS" and the vehicle sharing service "astyGO" were put into operation today. Both mobility services operate exclusively on fully electric vehicles and ensure significantly improved mobility on the island compared to the previous public transport system. This is the next step in the transformation of Astypalea: By 2026, the island wants to focus on smart and sustainable mobility by completely modernizing its energy system. The joint project of the Volkswagen Group and the Hellenic Republic functions as a future laboratory for a rapid elimination of carbon emissions in Europe.
Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "The debate over the shift from fossil fuels to renewables has gained momentum in Europe. Volkswagen is a driving force for change, leading to the transformation in Europe. In Astypalea, we are introducing new mobility services as the next step towards the future of transport. It is exciting to watch the project grow bigger with people who want to change their habits demonstrating that a rapid transformation into green mobility and green energy is feasible, if businesses and governments work closely together."
Mr. Costas Frangogiannis, Undersecretary of State for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, stated: “Political leadership, facing the future and its challenges, with open eyes and vision, bring the country to the forefront of the world. 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 differentiate and move away from traditional energy sources has become even more urgent, worldwide. A warm thank you to all the supporters of the effort, to the government, to the local bodies, to the business world and to the citizens who dare."
Smart, exclusively electric transportation services
Smart transportation services are replacing a traditional bus line, which so far has offered limited public transport in Astypalea. Unlike the bus line, the mobility services will be open all year round and will connect many more points on the island. The ASTYBUS ridesharing service will start operating with five Volkswagen ID. Buzz1 vehicles, as soon as the model is released in the autumn of 2022. Until then, the service will work with ID.42 vehicles. Through the astyGO vehicle sharing service, users will be able to rent electric cars from Volkswagen, electric scooters from SEAT MÓ and electric bicycles from Ducati. Reservations for all vehicles are made via smartphone and the astyMOVE app.
The number of electric vehicles in Astypalea is constantly increasing. After the adoption of electrific mobility by the local Police Department, the airport authorities and the Municipality of Astypalea last year, now the first electric ambulance in Greece has been added. Also, the first electric taxi is transporting customers all over the island and recently, the first private customer received the Volkswagen ID.3 3. The Hellenic Republic is promoting the transition to e-mobility with attractive financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles.
New solar collector system for power supply to the fleet of electric vehicles
The energy system will be gradually shifted to renewable energy sources. Today, a second solar collector system that supplies the current fleet of electric vehicles with green energy was put into operation. In addition, the Hellenic Republic today announced a call for tenders for the further transformation of the energy system. By 2023, a new solar park will provide about 3 megawatts of green energy, covering 100% of the energy required to charge electric vehicles and more than 50% of the island's total energy demand. By 2026, the new energy system will be further expanded to more than 80% of total energy demand. Until now, the island was supplied with electricity by diesel generators.
Academic study: High interest in electric and smart transportation services
According to the preliminary results of a first survey, the residents of Astypalea are very interested in electric vehicles and smart transportation services. More than 65% of respondents said they are generally willing to switch to an electric vehicle if there are purchase subsidies. While eco-friendliness is the most important advantage of electric vehicles, there are, however, concerns about cost and charging infrastructure. Ridesharing and vehicle sharing could significantly change mobility behaviour. Nearly 50% of respondents said that under certain conditions they would consider abandoning their own vehicle and switching to using the new mobility services.
The survey was conducted in the summer of 2021 and involved a total of 221 people. The full 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) have been monitoring and evaluating the project for some years now.
The "Astypalea - Smart and Sustainable Island" program aims to offer a deeper understanding of the transformation of an entire system. Within five years, Astypalea will be transformed into an island with a high degree of sustainable mobility and energy - with purely electric vehicles, smart mobility services and a green hybrid energy system. Astypalea welcomes about 36,000 tourists every year.
1.) Id. Buzz Pro: Power consumption in kWh/100 km: combined 18.9 (NEDC); combined 21.7–20.6 (WLTP); CO? emissions combined in g/km: 0; Performance class: A+++
2.). ID.4 - Power consumption in kWh/100 km (NEFZ): 16.3; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 0; Performance class: A+++
3.). ID.3 - Power consumption in kWh/100 km (NEFZ): 14.0-13.7 (combined), CO2 emissions in g/km: 0; Performance class: A+++