A small Greek island has taken a herculean step towards sustainability after agreeing a partnership with Volkswagen which will see their entire transport network provided by EVs.
Astypalea in the Mediterranean, will see its antiquated bus system and every other vehicle replaced by electric vehicles, with the energy generated from solar and wind farms.
The so-called Lighthouse Project will see the entire island revolutionised, with electric scooters and e-bikes provided to the residents, in addition to 1,000 electric cars. Commercial vehicles, as well as police and emergency service vehicles will also be replaced by electric.
Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: “Politics, business and society have a common responsibility to limit climate change. Our long-term goal is climate-neutral mobility for everyone. And with the Astypalea project we will explore how to realise that vision already today E-mobility and smart mobility will improve the quality of life, while contributing to a carbon neutral future.”
With a population of just 1,300, Astypalea is one of the smaller islands in the Agean, covering an area of 100 square kilometres, but its current energy supply is entirely made up by fossil fuels. It is visited by some 72,000 tourists a year.
The Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said: “I strongly believe in partnerships. Governments can't deliver on their own and the private sector isn't the answer to every question. That is why this ambitious endeavour is the result of the close partnership between the Greek state and Volkswagen Group. A world leader in the automotive industry that aims at making its fleet of vehicles and the company carbon neutral by 2050; coming together with an European nation in full transformation mode.”