Astypalea, a small Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, is to become a model for smart, emission-free mobility with the help of the Volkswagen Group. The plan is to prove that a purely electric transport system is already possible, without any restrictions on the mobility of its inhabitants.

About 1,300 people live on Astypalea, in addition, more than 70,000 tourists visit the island every year. There are about 1,500 vehicles on the island and none are currently electric. However, from next year on, Astypalea will start to convert its vehicle fleet to e-vehicles and hopes to be the first region in the world to achieve completely emission-free traffic.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding which agrees Volkswagen will provide support with e-vehicles and its comprehensive expertise, in the development of a mobility system.

The plan includes the public transport system, local authority vehicles (police, paramedics) and companies as well as the private vehicles of the inhabitants. At the same time, a nationwide network of private and public charging stations will be created. Car sharing and ride sharing services will replace the old bus network and, unlike the previous bus system, will serve all corners of the island, all year round. Alongside car sharing e-cars, e-scooters and e-bikes will also be integrated. In total, the number of vehicles on Astypalea is expected to decrease by a third to 1,000, while mobility will be improved.

The power source for the electricity is also due to be converted to wind and solar sources. The first vehicles will arrive in the first quarter of 2021.